With such a memorable election coming up, there are people out there trying to get the last minute comments about the dozen of choices we are going to have on the ballot. Most of these propositions and candidates we know nothing about and will simply vote ‘straight’ for the party we are committed to. In this editorial, the author is trying to get his audience, the tax payers, to approve a tax increase in Austin during a time of financial crisis. For propositions there isn’t a way to determine what is ‘straight’ unless people look at how democrats/ republicans have voted on the subject. In this article, the author is showing how crucial it is for a tax increase to occur for teachers, since that is the source of their income. While he admits that ‘timing for a tax rate increase couldn’t be worse’ he does make a good point as to why it should occur. Even though it is more money out of our pockets, it means that teachers can stay afloat financially during our economic crisis and keep their salaries steady during inflation.  

Their argument is obviously meant for the tax payers, to persuade the tax payers, who have the power to make this needs become reality. Without the approval of the tax payers this proposition could never get though, so it is up to all of us to make the difficult decision. The author’s credibility is valid since he has obviously looked up key points and researched the numbers to accurately provide information to his audience. The author has spelled out every financial detail about this bill, explaining how much of a tax increase will be needed, and where we stand now when it comes to how much in taxes they obtain and where it goes. Their overall claim is that the tax payers need to approve this bill in order for teachers to remain financially comfortable, or as they previously were before inflation. Without the tax increase their income decreases since it does not meet with the demand of inflation. As people, teachers need to have their pay increased as well in order to stay economically stable. It is a job just like everyone else’s, with the exception of the tax payers paying for their income, and just like everyone else, they need raises too. With this reasoning, I agree that teachers should have a raise. The bare minimal will allow them to keep up with the inflating dollar, but keeping income stable and reasonable for them could change the quality of their performance, since they will have less to worry about financially. The more financially stable a person is, generally the happier they are. Therefore, in theory, the more willing teachers are to teach and put quality into their work.