So I recently came across an article on Texans going to border states to gamble. As a Texan all my life, and a person that enjoys testing my luck every now and then. I believe Texas or responsible Texas cities should be allowed to legalize gambling.
In this article by politifact, Talks about how 2.5 billion dollars are spent in other states by Texans on surrounding states due to gambling. Broken down, thats 1.2 billion in Oklahoma, 1.18 billion in Louisiana,and 27 million in New Mexico, thats a lot of Texas dollars, not being spent in Texas. The idea of Texans not spending money in Texas is a big deal, however thats also a big tax income for Texas.
The process of figuring out these numbers are controversial and the accurate numbers seem to be closer to 2.1 billion. With our current deficit that extra 2.1 billion could mean a lot if the taxes on casinos are going the right way. Thats not to say, tourist from other states, countries can raise that number higher. Also if Texas had casinos a percentage of vacationers would choose to vacation in Texas instead of other states.
Casinos also bring in business from other walks of life. For example. Las Vegas isn't just casinos, they also have the best shopping malls filled with high end stores. Near the Harrahs' in New Orleans there are plenty of good eateries that can attract non-gambling tourist that just came along for the ride. Atlantic City , which is another gambling destination also has attractions, museums, and trolley tours.
Gambling isn't for everyone, however at a business standpoint it could be the right decision for Texas.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Guns in Schools??
In the last decade we have seen multiple shootings in various schools of all levels across the nation. The media, and sane would agree that allowing individuals to carry concealed weapons in schools isn't not the brightest idea.
slupita89 seems to agree. After reading a article about the Texas Legislature considering passing a law which would allow "privilege" people carry concealed weapons to higher education campuses, she wrote a great article "Danger Danger" . The article was well thought out and uses the sense of logic I could agree with. The right to bear arms should be limited to places like schools churches etc, but in this case its the exact opposite.
Sandra Rangel, rules that the class necessary to carry these concealed weapons is inadequate. Ten hour class plus a background check. This regulation is not only loose but also asking for potential crisis all over the Texas.
She appears to show concern for those that work, or go to school. Also shows strong signs of warnings for those that go to places of worship.
Sandra Rangel's presented a great article one that was a great read also stuck fear in my mind. By this time next year I will have to think twice about going to class or going to a place of worship.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Fixing Texas
I was born and raised in Austin Texas, and have gone to public schools all my life. As talks of budget crisis and cutting of jobs in education rises I feel inclined to bring up a few simple but solutions to Texas budgeting. Growing up I always heard complaints about property taxes, job security, cost of health care, it seems not much has changed.
The problem with property taxes is a lot of it goes to things people don't care for or too much goes to things they care less of. Example if 100% of your property taxes went to education, you as a property tax payer would not be happy. However if there was a way to vote on how property taxes are distributed in a micro economy more people will be happy paying for what they use. Its just like going to a diner and paying for what you ordered. No one likes to get charged for something they didn't want.
Although most public services are used by everyone; education, police/fire protection, local governments, health services, and local infrastructure. Its good to know how much of my property tax went to each and to know what the community wants. This may change over a period of time, for example a community that has invested into a solid education for the past 50 years can cut budget in education because all the main cost and policies have been set up. In the same community feels like the fire/emergency responses are slow they can manage funds towards that direction.
I am a firm believer that health care should be mandated by government just like fire protection and the police department. Its not a question about big government or small government but a moral issue to keep us safe. When health care is a moral issue and not a issue of profit or greed I believe more can be done than whats going on now. Health insurance companies strive for profit and make profit from denying policy holders, the more competition health insurance companies get, the more they will strive to deny service to the needed. If the situation is put in a fire/police point of view, its similar to police denying help to a victim, when they need it most.
Job markets will always change but jobs that require degrees, extensive education and/or experience should protect both employees and employers. I'm pretty sure everyone has heard a story of someone working for a company for 10+ years and was laid off because someone was willing to do the job for less compensation. Or a story of a employee that has worked for the same business for 10+years and leaving for a competition because of a slight increase in pay. Employees should be protected in certain circumstances. Employers should be protected as well, if a employee quits with out notice, I believe a percentage of the unemployment tax paid by employers should go back to the employer to compensate abrupt loses.
Texas is a great state, and I don't see myself leaving anytime soon. I'd just love to help the state I've grown up in, prosper in wealth, health, education, job security and continue to be the best state ever.
The problem with property taxes is a lot of it goes to things people don't care for or too much goes to things they care less of. Example if 100% of your property taxes went to education, you as a property tax payer would not be happy. However if there was a way to vote on how property taxes are distributed in a micro economy more people will be happy paying for what they use. Its just like going to a diner and paying for what you ordered. No one likes to get charged for something they didn't want.
Although most public services are used by everyone; education, police/fire protection, local governments, health services, and local infrastructure. Its good to know how much of my property tax went to each and to know what the community wants. This may change over a period of time, for example a community that has invested into a solid education for the past 50 years can cut budget in education because all the main cost and policies have been set up. In the same community feels like the fire/emergency responses are slow they can manage funds towards that direction.
I am a firm believer that health care should be mandated by government just like fire protection and the police department. Its not a question about big government or small government but a moral issue to keep us safe. When health care is a moral issue and not a issue of profit or greed I believe more can be done than whats going on now. Health insurance companies strive for profit and make profit from denying policy holders, the more competition health insurance companies get, the more they will strive to deny service to the needed. If the situation is put in a fire/police point of view, its similar to police denying help to a victim, when they need it most.
Job markets will always change but jobs that require degrees, extensive education and/or experience should protect both employees and employers. I'm pretty sure everyone has heard a story of someone working for a company for 10+ years and was laid off because someone was willing to do the job for less compensation. Or a story of a employee that has worked for the same business for 10+years and leaving for a competition because of a slight increase in pay. Employees should be protected in certain circumstances. Employers should be protected as well, if a employee quits with out notice, I believe a percentage of the unemployment tax paid by employers should go back to the employer to compensate abrupt loses.
Texas is a great state, and I don't see myself leaving anytime soon. I'd just love to help the state I've grown up in, prosper in wealth, health, education, job security and continue to be the best state ever.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Death? In a Imperfect world
In the Austin American statesman Helene Burns talks about the Death Penalty. Ms. Burns is a local contributor with a background to support her stand, she is a registered nurse, wife, mother, and a survivor of a murdered mother. Burns, once a advocate of death penalty took time to educate herself after the deputy district attorney advised that pursuing death penalty would make it harder for the family and takes years of appeals. Life sentence would be faster and would lead to a swifter recovery.
Burns continues to say that their are many death penalties that are carried out due to mistakes. When a death penalty is carried out wrongfully, you can't just bring them back. Also carrying out a death sentence would not bring back your loves ones or reverse the harm they have inflicted.
I believe Burns communicates to those that believe the death penalty is wrong and reassures them with her life story, tragic history and experience. Her logic is compelling in her situation and death sentence to her father might have caused more pain than closure.
In her closing statement Burns points to Gov. Pat Quinn of Illinois that has recently abolish the death penalty, thus freeing up millions of dollars to use productively. Funding for more police, investigators for cold cases, or corrections and victims unit. I agree with Ms. Burns and believe she is more than qualified to talk about this topic however I believe her argument is flawed in a few ways.
One thing Burns did not talk about was the mistakes that lead guilty felons to be not guilty. In a less than 100% perfect justice system, guilty felons also shouldn't be able to be freed due to mistakes. Also I believe her opinion is more based on her tragedy, however I believe there are many people out there that wouldn't mind the years of appeals, the prolonging of a case to watch a guilty felon endure the death sentence.
Burns continues to say that their are many death penalties that are carried out due to mistakes. When a death penalty is carried out wrongfully, you can't just bring them back. Also carrying out a death sentence would not bring back your loves ones or reverse the harm they have inflicted.
I believe Burns communicates to those that believe the death penalty is wrong and reassures them with her life story, tragic history and experience. Her logic is compelling in her situation and death sentence to her father might have caused more pain than closure.
In her closing statement Burns points to Gov. Pat Quinn of Illinois that has recently abolish the death penalty, thus freeing up millions of dollars to use productively. Funding for more police, investigators for cold cases, or corrections and victims unit. I agree with Ms. Burns and believe she is more than qualified to talk about this topic however I believe her argument is flawed in a few ways.
One thing Burns did not talk about was the mistakes that lead guilty felons to be not guilty. In a less than 100% perfect justice system, guilty felons also shouldn't be able to be freed due to mistakes. Also I believe her opinion is more based on her tragedy, however I believe there are many people out there that wouldn't mind the years of appeals, the prolonging of a case to watch a guilty felon endure the death sentence.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Employer Bill, needs repairs
The Statesman Editorial board posted an article about State Rep. Debbie Riddle, filing a bill that would punish Employers that "Intentionally, Knowingly, and/or Recklessly" hire illegal Immigrants. They suggest the bill needs repairs and is filled with holes.
The author points out that this type of bill has had approval of both parties but have always failed to get passed into law. The idea of a employer being punished for hiring illegal immigrants makes sense to most. However with a law that is filled with holes and language around it, makes the bill almost useless. The author also points out that, with a flawed system of verifying status of potential employees makes the notion even harder for employers to be the person to know if they are hiring someone legal or illegal.
Many argue that the bills language makes it easy for employers to continue to hire illegal immigrants because its extremely difficult to prove the person "knowingly and or recklessly" hired the unemployable. Also the author brings up previous problems of similar bills that made it difficult for state officials to regulate and enforce the responsibility of the federal law enforcement.
The author does a great job of showing concern while supporting some aspects of the bill. I believe the audience of the author is those concerned with the problems of illegal immigrants taking jobs of American citizens. While the bill seeks to prosecute those that employ illegal immigrants, it exempts individuals that hire illegal immigrants to hire to do work around a persons home. The author believes this is very hypocritical and ends the column with his/her belief that the bill causes a lot of commotion and will need repairs.
The logic of this article is simple and straight forward. The article seems to want the bill to pass, but only after the holes have been filled and the past mistakes of similar bills have been adjusted too it. The author uses the growing number of illegal immigrants in recent years as a credible cause to this bill.
http://www.statesman.com/opinion/employer-bill-in-need-of-repair-1250202.html
The author points out that this type of bill has had approval of both parties but have always failed to get passed into law. The idea of a employer being punished for hiring illegal immigrants makes sense to most. However with a law that is filled with holes and language around it, makes the bill almost useless. The author also points out that, with a flawed system of verifying status of potential employees makes the notion even harder for employers to be the person to know if they are hiring someone legal or illegal.
Many argue that the bills language makes it easy for employers to continue to hire illegal immigrants because its extremely difficult to prove the person "knowingly and or recklessly" hired the unemployable. Also the author brings up previous problems of similar bills that made it difficult for state officials to regulate and enforce the responsibility of the federal law enforcement.
The author does a great job of showing concern while supporting some aspects of the bill. I believe the audience of the author is those concerned with the problems of illegal immigrants taking jobs of American citizens. While the bill seeks to prosecute those that employ illegal immigrants, it exempts individuals that hire illegal immigrants to hire to do work around a persons home. The author believes this is very hypocritical and ends the column with his/her belief that the bill causes a lot of commotion and will need repairs.
The logic of this article is simple and straight forward. The article seems to want the bill to pass, but only after the holes have been filled and the past mistakes of similar bills have been adjusted too it. The author uses the growing number of illegal immigrants in recent years as a credible cause to this bill.
http://www.statesman.com/opinion/employer-bill-in-need-of-repair-1250202.html
Monday, February 14, 2011
Uneasy Axe hanging over Texas Colleges
Uneasy Axe hanging over College Benefits
Christopher A Smith of the Texas Tribune wrote a Article on an purposed state budget. He talks about important issues that affect College faculty and staff as well as students. The budget calls for the closing of four community colleges and cutting state funding of Health benefits from 83% to 50% for all community college employees. This will cause establishments to scramble for more money for a growing population of students.
Texas Community colleges have already reduced spending due to the request of Gov. Rick Perry and some institutions have started a hiring freeze.
With less funding and a growing population of students, schools will be forced to increase class size, raise tuition, hire less teachers and offer less classes and career choices.
I believe this article is a great read for both students and teachers, and is a great example of why Government matters to all of us.
Christopher A Smith of the Texas Tribune wrote a Article on an purposed state budget. He talks about important issues that affect College faculty and staff as well as students. The budget calls for the closing of four community colleges and cutting state funding of Health benefits from 83% to 50% for all community college employees. This will cause establishments to scramble for more money for a growing population of students.
Texas Community colleges have already reduced spending due to the request of Gov. Rick Perry and some institutions have started a hiring freeze.
With less funding and a growing population of students, schools will be forced to increase class size, raise tuition, hire less teachers and offer less classes and career choices.
I believe this article is a great read for both students and teachers, and is a great example of why Government matters to all of us.
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