Paul Praises Parents and Teachers during Texas Public Schools Week PDF Print E-mail
FOR RELEASE: March 10, 2000

Paul Praises Parents and Teachers during Texas Public Schools Week Asks Congress to Help Return Control of Education Dollar to Parents

Washington, D.C. - On Thursday, Congressman Ron Paul praised Texas parents and teachers in a speech before Congress. This week is "Texas Public Schools Week." Paul used the opportunity to highlight his education agenda of returning control of education to parents.
"As this is Texas Public Schools Week, I wanted to take a moment to offer my thanks to the parents and teachers of my district, and those across Texas, for all of their hard work to make sure our children get the best education possible," Paul said. "Unfortunately, Congress and the federal bureaucracy continue to strip authority away from parents, teachers and local school boards. It is time for Washington to return control of the nation's school system to the people who best know the needs of the children --local communities and parents. The key to doing so is to return control of the education dollar back to the American people."
Paul outlined several key aspects of his education agenda that are aimed at giving parents control over their children's education, encouraging new teachers to enter the profession, and encouraging civic leaders to improve the system. The cornerstone of Paul's education plan is the "Family Education Freedom Act" (HR 935). This bill provides parents with a $3,000 per-child tax credit for K-12 education expenses.
Paul said, "The 'Family Education Freedom Act' fulfills the American people's goal of greater control over their children's education by simply allowing parents to keep more of their hard-earned money to spend on education, rather than forcing them to send it to Washington to support education programs reflective of the values and priorities of Congress and the federal bureaucracy."
Other key elements of Paul's education proposals are the "Teacher Tax Cut" (HR 937) and the "Education Improvement Tax Cut" (HR 936). The "Teacher Tax Cut" will give a $1,000 tax credit for every teacher in America, the equivalent of a $1,000 pay raise. The "Education Improvement Tax Cut" provides $3,000 tax credit for cash or in-kind donations to public schools to support academic or extracurricular programs. This legislation encourages local citizens and community leaders to help strengthen local public schools.
"My education agenda of returning control over the education dollar to the American people is the best way to strengthen public education," said Paul. "I call upon my colleagues to help strengthen public schools by returning control over the education dollar to parents and other concerned citizens, as well as raising teacher salaries by cutting their taxes, so that the American people can once again make the American education system the envy of the world."
Paul's speech can be found at http://www.house.gov/paul/congrec/congrec2000/cr030900.htm