Make it RAIN!

JBaylo agrees with an article in the Austin American Statesman, written by David Barer on the new rainwater collection systems that homeowners are now installing around their properties, in order to conserve water. For some people “with no municipal or well-water supply…rainwater is more than just a way to collect extra water…it’s a way of life,” homeowner Billy Kniffen explains. Mr. Kniffen, vice president of the American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association managed to live off only rainwater they collected which was about 5.5 inches per year.

Over the past years, Texas and many other states dealing with serious droughts are looking towards ways to conserve water, and it looks like with rain water can be that substitute. Not only can you live off rain water, but The City of Austin offers rebates of 50 cents for every gallon of non-pressurized storage and $1 for every gallon of a pressurized system up to $5,000! Being that there is no sales tax on water collection equipment the homeowners associations does not have the authority to ban installations of systems stated by David Barer. With people becoming more engaged in “rainwater harvesting” gain a greater appreciation for a natural resource and understand its true value.

With the size of rainwater collections growing, the Texas Water Development Board has created the outlay for systems that can range from 55-gallon barrel to full-roof systems. The water board runs and oversees states water plans, funds water projects, and collects water data for the public. The state water plan has identified water conservation as one of Texas more important water management strategies for the next 50 years. “Rainwater harvesting is a part of Texas fabric,” Arroyo said.

 In the years to come rainwater conservation is predicted to be 25 percent of Texas water supply, this will likely increase awareness and eventually added into home designs lowering the overall cost. JBaylo is correct in saying that the advertisement is not well enough to the public but as droughts become more frequent, people will be looking for other ways to receive water and this can be the key. If these methods were advertised on rebates and tax breaks more people would invest not only for the benefits, but for the value its worth in the long with natural resource that can eventually run out at any given time.

Planned Parenthood Down the Drain

An article in the Austin Chronicle written by Jordan Smith stated that with Planned Parenthood out of the Texas, the cost of serving patients actually increased while the family planning budget took a tremendous decrease not only in funding but also in patients. According to the Department of StateHealth records, “The state served just 75,160 family planning clients during the 2012 fiscal year,” compared to the 200,000 clients served in 2011. With 63% decrease in clientele, these uninsured women are not able to receive the basic health care from family planning services. The cost of clients increased about 15%, “from an average of roughly $206 per client in year 2011 to nearly $237 per client in 2012,” says Jordan Smith.

The cause of the increase in family planning budget was due to the major decrease in budget done by Texas Lawmakers ironically on April fool’s Day of 2011. Lawmakers decided to take money that was saved for the FederalTitle X money which was dedicated to family planning but now has been abolished. The only money that the family planning budget has now is nearly $18 million in 2012 from a whopping $60 million in 2011 YIKES! The program was designed to exclude Planned Parenthood which happens to provide the largest number of family planning providers for the least amount of money per client but is now debarred.

Due to the new funding matrix that was created, majority of these family planning clinics where shut out from receiving and Title X funding, in favor of first funding “federally qualified health center” that typically cost more because of rank. Spokeswomen Christie Mann stated in an email that cost increase in 2012 is not related to the new funding but rather the “agencies have started to decrease their capacity and/or size due to budget cuts.” Christie Mann feels that this will resolve itself over time and cost should return to previous levels.

I feel that if we keep neglecting a large part of America who needs the health care that is affordable, this will come around and affect health care centers that will not be able make their quota for clients or members. Planned Parenthood was a good thing for the state of Texas and now that it’s taken away, just another entitlement Americans are stripped from due to greediness.

Check your Utility Water Bill!

Daily Casallo argues in her article on KXAN NEWS titled Highcity water bills are refunded shows that water bills have been over priced for the past years. Austin Water Utility’s billing is handled by Austin Energy and they have been using a new system since October 2011, “and conceded it has had some hiccups,” explained Austin Energy’s spokesman Ed Clark.

 I do agree with Daily in this article because it is important that you keep check on your bills such as water so that you are not getting overcharged like Frank McAllister who ordinarily pays less than a hundred dollars, received a water bill for $305. The system is supposed to “red flag” billing inconsistencies, but Austin Energy system sometimes experiences glitches and human errors can’t catch everything. Mr. McAllister did receive an adjustment of $285 credited on his next bill. Another gentleman named Stuart Werbner got a one month bill of $2,300, after KXAN’s suspicion about the outrageous bill Austin Water Utility adjusted his bill to $88! What happened!?

“Austin Energy does want to help customers who have this issue,” said spokesman Jason Hill. Austin Water Utility customers who have suspicion of unusual high bills are advised to call 3-1-1. Sometimes the issue cans be as simple as a leak or checking the meter on the property. If there is a leak, the homeowner is responsible for repairs.  Although if the city doesn’t readjust your high bill, the case can go before a judge for administrative action. In the grand scheme of things, make sure you check over your bills to see that you are not getting ripped off. In the long run, you could be losing more than gaining and not even realize before it’s too late and there is nothing you can do about it.

TEXAS Grants reduced and not funded

With the next legislation right around the corner, the TexasHigher Education Board will be reviewing the TEXAS Grant program analyzing grant money given to eligible students. Lazaro Hernandez published this article focusing on the coordinating board; which oversees all higher public education in Texas who feels that grant money should only be given to eligible students so it covers academic costs, which is only tuition and fees but not the total cost of attendance which includes room and board, and other expenses.  The Texas Higher Education Coordinating board predicts the average will drop from $5,000 to $3,000.

Director of UT Austin Student Financial Services, TomMelecki feels that lowering the amount of grant money will not only hurt local UT students, but international and out of state students predominately. Majority of UT students aren’t from Austin, which adds to the cost of other expenses and living. With the cost of living in Austin increasing students, will have a more difficult time trying to figure other methods to receive financial aid, or just be lost completely. UT as well as any other top institution is not cheap, therefore students with low-income families can’t help their children receive higher education because the total cost of school is outrageously increasing, while demanding stricter reductions and requirements.

The proposals for the new requirements make it requirements for grants more stringent.  Students are now required at least 12 hours per semester rather than the current 9. The grants lifespan will also change from the current 10 semesters at 15 hours each to eight regular semesters which is a full year a student can lose financial aid if requirements are not met in the grants lifespan. More and more now you see it taking 5 years to finish school and not the normal four because this thing called “LIFE” occurs and forces you to make decision or do things you never really plan on doing interfering with academics and forcing you to take some time off or not as many hours. The system will more than likely hurt students than benefit because without aid, I have not met a student yet who has been able to pay their full tuition without some method of financial support.

With the way cost of education and funding has been going Raymond Paredes, Texas Commissioner of Higher Education does not expect a lot of money for TEXAS Grants because the budget is so tight. Paredes feels that if lawmakers adopt these changes, TEXAS Grants will be smaller and fewer students would be eligible and the number of students who receive grants will increase 18 to 95 percent. I disagree because that is too large of a gap to determine the financial census of where students will be and I feel that cutting money in any education is the last thing that needs to happen in the this economy and in this next legislation.

State Rep. Donna Howard said the proposal to decrease financial assistance given to students could and will prevent a large number of Texans affording higher education for which I do agree with.  Rep. Howard then suggests instead of lowering award amount, the legislation should focus on fully funding TEXAS Grants so that this will not be an issue in the future. It make no sense to have state to have created a program and unwilling to fund it. That’s unconstitutional in my eyes.

 

Schools Need MONEY!

The article from the Texas Tribune I will be focusing on by Morgan Smith titled School Districts, State Trade Blame Finance Trial focuses on the underfunding of public schools. There has been an estimated about $5.4 billion that has been reduced since 2005 for the schools budgeting system.

Smith’s underlying message is that by reducing funding to public schools while increasing the standards for academic performance through the new accountability system has failed to meet its constitutional obligations to provide an adequate and efficient public education system. With this focus, faculty and staff are finding it difficult to acquire more resources to educate students who continue to do poor on state exams, which seem to be an increasing trend. The new STAAR exam is said to be more rigorous than the old version of the TAKS test. Without the right resources students are struggling to get to the next grade level when funding needs to be provided. I do agree with Smith’s position because if you cannot equip our kids for the future what foundation are you giving them?

Smith does go on to explain that the reason why public education systems are failing is because it’s a monopoly. By definition monopolies drive up prices, increase costs, and keep wages low. This is what has been going on in public education systems since 2005 which has depleted students from performing on statewide issue exams.

Smith did suggest a backup plan which is to make a more competitive system that would not only make better use of taxpayer money, but also benefit teachers and students by increasing the compensation for high-quality instructors. I do agree with Smiths plan because our teachers are the cornerstone in what makes a student successful.

Can I Recieve My Financial Aid?

In the article I critiqued in the University Star about Financial Aid regulations, written by Evan Bolton seemed to be projected to an audience surrounding anyone in the field of secondary education,  and the respective faculty staff. The article pertains to an academic act that was done because students in perspective college institutes such Texas State don’t equip themselves with the educational resources keeping them from falling down an academic battle. “According to a Sept. 13 University Star article, students  at any public university will no longer receive financial aid while they are on academic probation, as of this past summer."

The University are doing everything in there powers as well as student services yet SOME students can’t seem to make meeting minimum GPA requirements as well as completion and maximum completion rates. I do agree with what this article, while at the same time it informs anyone who is academic distress to receive help from a plethora of learning services. With students being denied financial aid sets them back and even puts some in economical distress of paying bills and etc.

The author could have added more statistics on how much the students were losing from financial aid and the stress it puts on those who are trying to function unemployed. The author did say that more institutes were adding tutor labs in there students services but never really stressed the upgrades. The article in my opinion didn’t give a lot of details, but enough to get the information through to students who are sitting on that academic bubble.

In conclusion, financial is will be approved to those who meet minimum requirements of GPA and completion rate. Academic probation just doesn’t happen in the blink of an eye and can be easily maintained handled earlier in the situation.

A MetroRail, for A Metro Problem

With the two rapidly growing communities of Cedar Park and Leander in Austin's Northwest region, public transportation seems to be the main stress and issue for citizens who commute to Austin and other cities. Taking a different approach, citizens in these area have voted on a Capitol MetroRail system implemented in this distinct region. Back 14 years ago the residents of the Cedar Park area voted out of Capitol Metro which allowed them to keep some sales tax revenue for other local projects and funding another transit system. For the residents in this area, who have stayed with Capital Metro, brought the MetroRail and bus service officials who intend on drawing up a plan development for a new transit system.

The problem lies with Capital Metro because in building a regional transit system that only some cities take part, establishing gaps in service without support from local taxes that makes 80% of Capital Metro's operating budget! Citizens felt their money could be used somewhere else,so they opted out of Cap Metro in 1998. In place of the MetroRail system, the $55 million Cedar Park Center was created, other millions were spent on park and road improvements such as 183-A tollway.

The money has also led to 3,000 jobs in the city and $250 million in new investments. The city of Cedar Park considered the MetroRail, but decided against it because the costs exceeds $27 million. In this day, Leander and Cedar Park have invested millions in public transportation which opened a station in 2010 that as a stop for the Metrorail and three bus lines.