Speaking Out with Pete Abington - December 16, 2009

POSSIBLE TAX ELECTION - SCHOOL

It is only in the talking stages at this point, but several members of the Many School Board are exploring the idea of a new tax election to build a new elementary school. It would be paid for by a millage and a sales tax. Temporarily, your local millage would almost double. They wish to move now to make use of a government loan program that would be interest free.

The point is made that the elementary school is in deplorable condition and a new structure would be built out at the high school complex similar to the Junior High building. They feel the academic scores are strong enough in the Many school district to wrack them up.
Whether this will be looked on favorably or unfavorably is the reason they are floating it around. It would be to your benefit to talk to your school board officials and discuss this. They want to know.

LOUISIANA FACES BUDGET SHORTAGE

Commissioner of Administration Angele Davis recently warned lawmakers that the shortfall for the state is $145 million in the current budget year. She stated she can take care of all but $68 million.

Most of the problems come from a steep increase in the number of children enrolled in public schools she told the Legislative Committee on the budget. The state is already expecting a billion dollar short budget hold in the upcoming fiscal year that starts July 1. To balance the budget for the current year, lawmakers made cuts to higher education, health care and other services.

Despite our crunch, the oil and gas revenue is expected to generate a modest surplus in the current fiscal year. She further stated the money cannot be used for operating expenses because of constitutional restraints. She expects a $52 million shortfall in basic state aid to public schools because of a ten-million dollar student jump in enrollment.

Davis stated that she will know more this month when the Revenue Estimating Conference is expected to meet and set aside how much revenue the state has to spend. Over the next two fiscal years, the state is anticipating to be $3 billion short of the money needed to pay current expenses. This is a serious situation for our state to face. The Streamlining Commission’s recommendations and efforts should be seriously considered.

LET’S TALK ABOUT ALABAMA

Many of us are still burned by the fact that Coach Saban actually lied on national television when he stated he would not be the next coach at the University of Alabama. In addition, he publicly stated that he did not plan to leave Miami, only to do just the opposite shortly thereafter.

No question about it - he is a good football coach and Alabama will now represent the SEC for the national title against the University of Texas. I guess it is only fair if you are still angry at Alabama and Saban to have some talking points

Twenty percent of the University of Alabama’s football team has been arrested during the past year. Some of the football yells are “Parole-Tide” instead of “Roll-Tide.” There was a lady in Tuscaloosa who called 911 and said “someone just broke into my house and I think he is going to rob me.” The police officers said “We are really busy at the moment. Just get the jersey number and we’ll get back to you.”

Here are a few more:
Q. What is Nick Saban’s biggest concern?
A. Does the NCAA count bail money as a recruiting violation?
Try this one:
Q. Why can’t most of Bama’s players get into a huddle on the field?
A. It’s a parole violation to associate with known felons.
Alabama also adopted a new honor system. “Yes, your honor; no, your honor.”

And finally, this Spring they have put into their practice schedule that the whole team will learn to study their Miranda Rights.
Enjoy the reading!

RED NECK STORIES

You just might be a red neck if...
...You think Christian Dior is a TV evangelist.
...You decorate your dog for Christmas.
...Your living room curtains are beach towels.
...You own night-vision goggles and aren’t in the military.