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Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013 | 2 a.m.
A favorite with political donors and the public, Gov. Brian Sandoval is rich in political capital. But when it comes to spending it, he’s a miser. Sandoval’s State of the State speech last week was notable for its lack of big ideas or bold policy proposals that would change the state’s current course. On the conservative side — he ran two years ago as the conservative candidate — he said nothing about changing prevailing wages on public works projects or construction-defect reform, the process for suing homebuilders that conservatives say is a cash cow for trial lawyers. Both are big ...
He endorsed Rick Perry, shows how much he knows about politics.
The writer, David McGrath-Swartz, has stated an UNtruth, "In Clark County, the school district eliminated 1,000 teaching positions because of automatic raises for teachers ordered by an outside arbitrator." The fact is, that when the President gave all that STIMULUS MONEY to the school districts, they hired teachers with money that was only temporary, and UNsustainable, and they knew it. When that money ran out, guess what had to happen? You guessed it, eliminate those positions!!! The writer did not cite a time reference, that is critical to what he has stated. If my memory serves me, that particular impasse was about the district keeping its commitment with giving those who went out and got the college credits and degrees to increase their pay steps, as the district did, in deed, and fact, had written within the contract to perform this, and had attempted to not honor this, hence, the impasse, and judgement against them that followed.
Now, we have Teach for America "teachers" coming into our schools, who don't train to be a teacher as a part of their degree and credentialing, who typically cost the districts less, who rarely are involved with unions/associations, who take up the time of those teachers around them to train them (those helpful teachers are NOT compensated for their time, energy, resources, and support, I might add)although supposedly each school that has them, has a "coach" for them (these "coaches" are forever at "trainings and meetings" by the way). Of course, Governor Sandoval has his advisor, Michelle Rhee, of Students First (google that and check out what others say about her),who is an outsider, providing him input (instead of our state's teachers)both are linked with ALEC.
Honestly, teachers, most all of them, are there to do their jobs at school, not be negotiating and legislating, hence, why they pay to have representative associations and unions. I grew up in a private business ownership home, but when I began to teach, it became clear why teachers find it important to have such support. It is a shame that so many demonize associations and unions, mostly out of inexperience. But people do what they do.
Blessings and Peace,
Star
GIVING away tax revenue to scholarships BEFORE funding essential government services is ABSURD. Giving away tobacco money intended for health care of the seniors devastated by second-hand smoke and unenforced smoking restrictions is also stupid.