Speaking
at the Texas PTA Day at the Capitol were ...
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Susan Combs
Texas Commissioner of Education Dr. Shirley
J. Neeley
State Senator Jane Nelson
Texas PTA Day at the Capitol was a great success. Almost 200 PTA members from across the state met in the State Board of Education meeting room in Austin for a day of hearing from state leaders and visiting with their legislators about the priority issues of Texas PTA. The morning featured speeches from The Commissioner of Education Shirley Neeley, The Commissioner of Agriculture Susan Combs and State Senator Jane Nelson. Commissioner Neeley spoke about the challenges facing the state's public schools and the work that needs to be done. Commissioner Combs visited with the group about the work she and her department have been doing to see that the food served to children in schools is healthier and more nutritious. Senator Nelson focused on the reforms her legislation is making in Child Protective Services and CHIP.
Robert Earley, former member of the House of Representatives, told the group of the inadequate funding for textbooks that has been proposed for the coming two years and Carolyn Boyle, of the Coalition for Public Schools, told of the ongoing threat of public funds being used for private schools through vouchers. Then the PTA members went to the Capitol and contacted their Senators and Representatives asking for additional funding for public schools, an increase in the tobacco tax, stronger laws on the use of booster seats for children in motor vehicles, opposition to vouchers, cleaner air and a commitment to prevention of childhood obesity.
