Is the world coming to an end? I ask because it seems like lately that our governor, known for his kowtowing to the radical right and to his business buddies, may actually be trying to help some of us ordinary Texans.
On February 2, Perry issued an executive order requiring that all sixth-grade girls in Texas be immunized against the HPV virus. This is not a cure-all for cervical cancer, but it will keep hundreds of thousands of female Texans from contracting the disease in the future.
This is not something many on the radical right wanted to see. They are using the same tired old argument they use against sex education and condom availability. They say if you protect these girls against disease, it will make them want to run out and have sex. It's a stupid argument at best, but these people are not rocket scientists.
These people make up a large part of Perry's base, but he defied them and moved to protect ordinary Texans. Quite frankly, I'm shocked. I didn't think he had the balls to do something this bold.
Now I read in the Austin American-Statesman that Perry has come up with a higher-education plan that makes some sense. Our governor wants to:
•Increase state appropriations for higher education by 7.8 percent, or $712 million, during the next two years.
•Increase major state financial aid programs by 60 percent, or $363 million.
•Consolidate three grant programs into a new 'tuition assistance grant' that would have to be repaid at zero interest if the student did not graduate within five years for a four-year degree plan or within six years for a five-year plan. Require recipients to maintain at least a 3.0 grade point average, up from the current 2.5, to maintain eligibility.
•Boost funding for the B-on-Time loan program to $405 million from about $21 million, and make it available to more students. A student who graduated on time with at least a 3.0 GPA would not have to repay the zero-interest loan.
•Eliminate most 'special items,' or earmarks, which provide funding for particular institutions for favored programs.
•Require an exit test for each student earning a bachelor's degree. A low score would not prevent a student from graduating.
•Pay colleges and universities a reward for each graduate and more for students who did well on the exit test, students from low-income families or who otherwise are considered at-risk or students who majored in math, science and other technical fields.
I'm don't agree with everything in this plan. I'm not sure an exit test is neccessary, or even a good thing. And I think a 2.5 grade point average should be enough to remain qualified for grants - after all, the idea is to help as many as possible get a good education. For many nowdays, that 2.5 may be because they are working many hours and trying to raise a family, and not because they're not smart enough.
But the thrust of the program is to make more money available to institutions of higher learning and more financial aid available to students who need it, and that is a good thing.
Imagine! A Texas Republican governor actually trying to help ordinary Texans. What a novel idea! Maybe I'm just dreaming, but if I am don't wake me up. It sure beats the nightmare of his last term.
Regarding the HPV immunization program, I tend to agree that it's a good thing, especially in light of the opt-out provision (I'm actually pro-choice on some things, like this and school vouchers, for instance).
ReplyDeleteThat being said, my concerns are not with the what, but rather with the why and how. I'm afraid that Governor Perry's motivation may not so much based on courage, but rather on pay back (or perhaps pay forward) to the pharmaceutical companies. However, I'm willing to admit that cynicism may be shading my view on this.
Of greater concern is that fact that the HPV immunization program was initiated by executive order, which is supposed to be reserved for emergency situations. Although the legislature would have been much more reluctant to enact such a program, the use of executive order to enact it, no matter how well intended and needed, opens the door for executive abuse for other non-emergencies which may not be as noble.
In sum, although I'm pretty much in favor of the ends of an HPV immunization program, the means and motives trouble me a little.
You may be right about the means and motives c.t., but I still believe it needed to be done. Don't bust my bubble though - that's the first time I've ever said anything nice about Perry.
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