|
|
Last year, Gov. Gray Davis slipped a bill under the radar right before the election. SB1419 limited the ability of local school districts to contract out for noninstructional services, such as busing or maintenance
"'It just doesn't make sense to tell me that I can't look at a cost-saving measure in a noninstructional setting,' San Jose's Union School District Superintendent Phil Quon continued as he discussed the squeeze of operating next year's schools on this year's budget, despite cost increases."
Let's put this into context. California is facing a huge budget crisis, we're $38 Billion in the red. School's are having their budget's slashed, and they are forced to fire teachers and lessen services because of it. Yet school's aren't allowed to outsource non education related services to companies that would perform cheaper.
"A 2000 audit found that Los Angeles Unified alone could save $25 million by contracting out all its busing. 'The Democrats are complaining that the recall costs $25 million, yet the same majority is unwilling to pass a law that would save (all) school districts 10 times that amount and protect teachers, ' said Mitch Zak, who represents yellow-bus giant Laidlaw Education Services."
This is just another example of Democrats knee-jerk reaction against capitalism. There are companies that specialize in busing, maintenance, cleaning, etc, but California's government requires that these services be done in house. Sometimes I feel that all elected representatives and appointed bureaucrats be required to take a course in economics before assuming office. This is a clear case of how specialization and the free market can make more efficient changes. All Laidlaw does is drive buses. They know how to do it, and they already have the experience and infrastructure. Why should we reinvent the wheel?
When in a budget crisis, with budget cuts and teacher layoffs, our goverment shouldn't handicap the effectiveness of the marketplace. Let schools outsource so that they can spend the difference on teacher salaries, school supplies, and construction.
Posted by Owen at June 5, 2003 10:20 PM | TrackBack