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Joe
Uecker
State
Representative
02/26/07
Education is General Assembly’s Priority #1 (HB-1)
While visiting my son at the United Stated Air Force
Academy in Colorado Springs a few years ago, I couldn’t
help but notice the inscription on one of the statues in
the “Honor Court” which is an outside area between the
famous Air Force Chapel and Arnold Hall (named after the
legendary airman and father of the US Air Force, Hap
Arnold). This inscription sends a powerful message to not
just the Cadets who attend the Academy but to anyone who
realizes its message. On the “Eagle and Fledgling” statue
is written “Man’s flight thru life is sustained by the
power of his knowledge”. Knowledge is the key to a
successful life. Yes, I know that “success” can be
defined in many ways, but any parent will immediately
understand in their own ways what they feel “success”
means for their child. Education is inevitably a major
variable to “success”.
Having recently attended a three day retreat with other
members of the Ohio General Assembly to set the priorities
of legislation for the next two years I am happy to assure
you that the number one priority is public education.
This was recently evidenced by the reserving of the name
“House Bill #1” for the bill that will be dedicated to
public education. In any General Assembly, the first five
or ten House Bill numbers typically are reserved right
away to signify the importance (priority) of that issue.
Again, public education is our number one priority.
We all want to do what is best for our children. I was
with a group of parents over the weekend while watching
our children wrestle in the State High School wrestling
district finals when the topic of what sacrifices we make
for our children came up. It is typical that a parent
wants to make their children’s lives just a little easier
and better than what the parent had. As written in
Scripture, “What father would give his son a snake if he
asked for a fish?” (Luke 11:11). We all want what is best
for our children. I know my wife and I have made many
sacrifices over the years raising and educating our
children… just like many of you have. And we will keep on
making sacrifices.
Education is the foundation for success in life. This is
true for individuals as well as society as a whole. I
believe this and so do my colleagues in the General
Assembly. To that end, it is no wonder that public
education and all the topics associated with it take up so
much of the time of the General Assembly. Public
education already takes up more than half of the states’
entire budget.
Let me repeat that. More than half of Ohio’s total
revenues, your tax dollars, already goes to public
education.
The actual amount of state funds going to educate our
youth has steadily risen over the last decade well above
the rate of inflation but unfortunately, outpaced by
school spending. Remember, state funds are really YOUR
funds. Whether the funds are gathered from income taxes,
property taxes, or sales taxes, they are YOUR dollars. To
get more dollars for the state budget means we have to get
more dollars from YOU. This is why it is my priority to
make sure that each and every tax dollar is spent as
wisely and responsibly as possible. This is also why I
support measures for accountability in EVERY area of state
spending.
Ohio has a long road ahead in terms of public education.
Our economy depends on a competent, educated workforce.
But for all the public funds we have poured into our
public education system, still we only graduate 85% from
high school. Seven out of 10 students who graduate from
high school will NOT have completed the courses necessary
to succeed in college or in the workplace. Only three of
every 10 students who attend high school will go on to
earn a college degree. Ironically, statewide average
statistics seem to show that the more money we pour into
our education system, the worse our students achieve. Our
work is cut out for us. Last year’s “Ohio Core” bill
raised the standards our children will have to achieve in
high school in order to go on to college. We put millions
of dollars aside to prepare teachers for the challenge.
Think of it as a down payment on our future.
It is going to be tough to fund the challenges that lie
ahead in terms of public education and I am willing to
participate in the task of finding those funds. I will
also participate in finding ways to reduce spending in all
areas of government and education in order to put more
dollars into the classroom.
As always, if you would like to share any thoughts or
constructive and realistic suggestions, please feel free
to share them with me.
Joe
Uecker
State
Representative
Ohio’s
66 District
Representing
Batavia, Goshen, Miami and Union Townships as well as the
Cities of Loveland and Milford and the Villages of Batavia
and Amelia.
Columbus Phone:
614-466-8134
Email:
Joe@JoeUecker.com
Website:
http://JoeUecker.com |
