Details emerging on this public welfare program to the unneedy. Will be new
bureaucracy of 28 staff members and ability for middlemen to profit off of it too.
Hope y’all are happy with what you voted for. My bad, it didn’t get put to vote
by the citizens of the state.
People replacing an ICE vehicle with an EV actually has some net public/societal benefit to the environment and climate even if the funds aren’t means tested. Giving money to rich families for private education for their kids who are already in private school does not have any public benefit.
The inner city wealthy will now get $10K discounts for their kids already in private schools, so of course they vote for it
underfunded HISD schools will shut down thus forcing those people out of the area and into failing suburban subdivisions
The best public schools in Houston (which are all in the outer-most suburbs will be just fine because they can afford the increased property taxes to keep their schools “good” if need be
Hey it’s a win win for all except if you’re poor. Keep the inner city and outer city wealthy, and keep everyone in the middle poor. Essentially the way of American education until it finally collapses in on itself
No, I see EVs as a new technology that has had a high startup cost and rebates
as a means to invigorate adoption of better technology. And less pollution for all.
Not a good comparison imho.
Vouchers make education more expensive in all the states that have implemented this system. States with the voucher program, their education system struggles and the rich get richer. Basically our tax dollars funneled to the wealthy. After implementing vouchers, private schools usually raise their tuition to keep low income students out. Our education in this country is failing apart. Nobody wants vouches but they keep pushing it down our throats.
Oh there are a few here that want them; but I agree if put to vote by
citizens it would have failed. Hopefully as the facts come out, more people will understand what was done. Credit to shrewd and crafty governor for
working around this “voter road block”. Quite the maneuvering stroke.
I find it especially telling that they made the state funding of university
advancement, through TUF, get presented as a constitutional amendment that
required voter approval 2 years ago. But on this, found away to bypass putting it before the voters.
Private schools can choose whether they want to participate. The law requires participating schools to be accredited and to have operated for at least two years.
If public demand for the voucher program exceeds the funding available, it will prioritize applicants in this order:
Students with disabilities from families with an annual income at or below 500% of the federal poverty level, which includes any four-person household earning less than roughly $160,000
Families at or below 200% of the poverty level, which includes any four-person household earning less than roughly $64,300
Families between 200% and 500% of the poverty level
Families at or above 500% of the poverty level (limited to 20% of the program’s budget)
State officials will also be required to work with a private auditor responsible for helping ensure program participants follow the law. The bill directs the state to suspend the accounts of people not in compliance with the legislation’s guidelines and refer to local authorities any organizations or individuals who use taxpayer funds fraudulently.
I see you took the liberty to change what I said by eliminating parts.
I did not say EVs were bad, just the $7500 was bad. Lets try you phrase again:
Giving money to Rich families buying a likely second vehicle has some net public value and benefit to the environment and climate even if the funds aren’t means tested.
Giving money to rich families for private education for their kids who are already in private school does not have any public benefit
See the overlap which you left out…
Too many people are ok giving money to well off families whether it is for private schools or cars, but are against help lower income with things like student loans. People talk about education but only want the money.
It goes to the point I mentioned in my just recent other reply - It is money to well off families that don’t need it in both the EV and vouchers. When things like student loans assistance/forgiveness to those with lower incomes is seen as evil.
An educated public is one of the most valuable assets to society, not an EV.
Keep in mind many of these start up technologies also get tax breaks and other incentives for their development directly. If you want mass EV adoption, spend money on the charging infrastructure and creating associated jobs instead of giving it to already well off families.
I used to think an educated populace was the answer to all societies ills.
I’m less sure of that today, but still think it’s part of the answer. The problems mentioned in our public schools has been very informative to me after listening to what the educators here have posted. I don’t know how to implement what they all seem to be saying, but somebody needs to listen.
As for funding EV infrastructure, that’s good too. Let’s do both. I still see
government subsidies to get the near wealthy to purchase an EV as worthwhile
to get the ball rolling. But those subsidies should, and usually do, have termination
dates after a technology starts to mature. IMHO we still need them for next 3-5 years.
The EV vs Voucher thing is more like giving a rebate to people who have already
decided and bought a luxury car. Bought a BMW, get a rebate every year. We can’t
have too much luxury consumption.
Not the answer to all society ills, but a balanced educated population will help ensure a good future.
Couple points - one, you never know which educated child will be the one to come up with a better non-polluting transportation system than ICE or EV (or even a better EV) or some other important future tech or life saving treatment, etc… But also I think it is really important to teach people to think (lacking now), not just solve specific math problems which is just memorizing the right formula. It is equally important to teach a range of skills suited to each student for their specific futures. That though is post high school.
I know many people with EVs, I do not know one that bought because of the tax break, though I am sure they took it.
I think how Roosevelt? did the interstate system to build hwys while creating tons of jobs. Something along the lines of charging methods and installations across the highways. For now many people can’t use EVs due to driving needs or no home charging options. About 20% of households are living in Apts/Condos without means to charge and a lot are young adults without means yet to buy houses but are prime targets for EVS.
I also think that if you take away the rebates, the car companies would lower prices. Why shouldn’t they get that extra amount from the govt rebates while it is being given out.
