Ike Relief?

Since Friday November 21, 2008, there are at least 1,233 Texas Gulf Coast families living in FEMA mobile homes. Texas is supposed to receive $1.3 billion federal dollars for Hurricane Ike. It is reported that this amount of money is the majority of the planned $2.1 billion. The rest of the money is to go to other states in need and Puerto Rico.
Supposedly about sixty-six percent of families needing mobile homes are eligible. What about the other thirty-four percent of those people in need? Senators and governors are gossiping and arguing over Ike. Hutchinson is making false statements about relief and Perry is tattling. Perry is sick of asking for relief for over a year and a half now… I don’t like the guy, but I can feel his stress. Getting FEMA to do something is like convincing an Aggie you don’t have to peel M&Ms to get to the chocolate… they may never get it.
Literally an hour ago The Associated Press released this: “the federal government will pay Hurricane Ike debris removal costs in Texas for six more months, but Gov. Rick Perry's office said the extension is inadequate”. FEMA reports paying for seventy-five percent of debris cleanup and leaves the rest up to the states. Bush, though, has approved FEMA to pay one hundred percent of the cleanup costs.
I don’t like the two men but what they are fighting for is legit and will affect thousands of people’s lives. The people that are being helped claim that FEMA has treated them well and has been providing them his necessities. Hopefully everyone can feel more secure with the supposed upcoming help from FEMA.


The Texas legislative session regularly meets the 2nd Tuesday of January of each odd numbered year. So in January 2009, Hurricane Ike will be a big part of the discussion. Literally an hour ago The Associated Press released this: “the federal government will pay Hurricane Ike debris removal costs in Texas for six more months, but Gov. Rick Perry's office said the extension is inadequate”.

Yay AISD Prop 1!

I don’t think I could have put it any better… but I will add on to the editorial titled Proposition 1. Vote Yes from the 'Knowing Your Neck of the Woods' blog. I find myself to be bias on the issue of pay increase for teachers since I am going to school to become one. None of us would be in this class if it weren’t for K-12th grade teachers and grade schools. Pay sucks already and benefits are okay… anyone who teaches these younger grades, hopefully, isn’t in it for the money because its not there. Doesn’t really make sense to me?
We can prevent some strain on these good people since the AISD Proposition 1 did pass in the 2008 Texas elections. It will not only help teacher salaries, but also increase health benefits and pay for educational programs. The Proposition even covers gas for school buses.
Today teachers in Austin make about $43,000 a year. This means about $3,550 a month. With rising gas prices, mortgage rates, and everyday item prices this sounds like nothing. I tried to figure it out and imagined being a single mom, who teaches, with a two-year-old child; she and her son live in a two bedroom, one bath apartment for a little over $500. Then you have gas and electric bills that could easily add up to, lets say, $200 a month. Then you have to put your child in a daycare, which is insanely expensive. After looking at some daycares, I picked one of the best nationally accredited preschools; for the class of two and three year olds, the cost a month would be $800. You need gas to get your child places and get yourself to work… $40 a week. Groceries? Groceries are more expensive when having to buy things for an infant. 

Also there are always odd things that are necessary to get around Austin that require money. Statistics say you should expect at least $1000 a month on your child for things like diapers, food, doctors…
After all this, the teacher is left with a little money to spend on other necessities that people can go without if they really have to: clothing, phone bills, education payments, car payments…
If we do not continue to support our Austin teachers, they will move their business and teach in another higher paying district, which is exactly what is happening. Hopefully the Proposition will encourage teachers to stay where they love, Austin.

I enjoyed the author's writing and agreed with what they had to say.  It was brief enough to understand their point of view and share facts about the Proposition.