Texas State Representative Hamp Atkinson recently told a group of approximately 30 TCC students and faculty members “that education and the tax payers are on a collision course.” Atkin, who is chairman of the Public Education Committee, made the remark at a November 9 Phi Theta Kappa sponsored presentation in the Classroom Building.
According to Atkinson, one of the major problems in state supported education is that the large four year institutions such as the University of Texas and Texas A & M are continually constructing more buildings and hiring new teachers, even though their enrollments are dropping. The community colleges, on the other hand are not allowed more space, and the money for construction or for the payment of utility bills, or for the maintenance of existing facilities. Atkinson went on to explain that there is a growing movement in the state legislature to have schools return to the three R’s, because of the disappointing results of some high school literary test scores.
Part of these low scores can be attributed to the fact that the state is forcing kids to stay in school that a few year ago, were dropping out and filling most of the low paying – low skill jobs.
In addition to education, Atkinson commented on many aspects of the Texas Legislature including the importance of the Speaker of the House, the role of the lobbyists, the “Killer Bees”, and the Governor.
Atkinson said that one of the most important votes that he makes at the legislature is the vote for the Speaker of the House, because the Speaker is, “all powerful in the legislature himself.” Atkinson stated that if the Speaker is against a bill, then the bill does not stand much of a chance of passing,” because he controls virtually every committee through his power of appointment. The Speaker appoints the chairmen, vice-chairmen, and half the members of every committee, so, in effect, he can put all his opponents on two committees and still not assign them very much to do.
The lobbyists perform a very important function in that while they try to get a representative’s support for their cause, they also keep him informed on the pros and cons of a particular bill. Atkinson said that “a good lobbyist saves him his time by doing the necessary research.”
Atkinson did not condemn the actions of the “killer bees” senators because he feels that every member of the legislature has been elected to vote on the issues not run back to his district and hide out to prevent action on a controversial issue, the people elected him to vote on all the issues.