1-1 By: Haley S.C.R. No. 40
1-2 (In the Senate - Filed March 8, 1993; March 8, 1993, read
1-3 first time and referred to Committee on Administration;
1-4 May 20, 1993, reported favorably by the following vote: Yeas 5,
1-5 Nays 0; May 20, 1993, sent to printer.)
1-6 COMMITTEE VOTE
1-7 Yea Nay PNV Absent
1-8 Haley x
1-9 Moncrief x
1-10 Ellis x
1-11 Montford x
1-12 Shapiro x
1-13 Truan x
1-14 Turner x
1-15 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
1-16 WHEREAS, Modern telephone systems play a vital role in our
1-17 public schools by serving as a traditional means of communication
1-18 and as a basic support for computer technology; and
1-19 WHEREAS, The many important services these systems provide
1-20 include essential communication links among teachers, parents,
1-21 school administrators, and school districts, as well as access to
1-22 educational data bases and bulletin boards, on-line library
1-23 catalogues, and electronic mail; and
1-24 WHEREAS, Currently, local school districts are required to
1-25 pay the business rate for telephone services, a significantly
1-26 higher rate than that charged to other users, severely limiting
1-27 access to these important communication services; and
1-28 WHEREAS, Unlike private industry, public school systems rely
1-29 in large part on local property taxes for funding and often face
1-30 funding shortfalls that can put access to important technology out
1-31 of reach, especially in poorer districts; and
1-32 WHEREAS, The higher rate also prevents teachers from having
1-33 phones in their classrooms at a time when having a telephone is
1-34 gaining recognition as an important safety precaution and
1-35 disciplinary tool in our nation's increasingly violent classrooms;
1-36 and
1-37 WHEREAS, Teachers with phones can call for assistance
1-38 immediately when there is a threat to classroom safety or to
1-39 impress upon an unruly student that disciplinary action is only a
1-40 phone call away; and
1-41 WHEREAS, Access to modern phone systems will become even more
1-42 important with the increasing availability of new fiber-optic
1-43 technology that will greatly expand the information-carrying
1-44 capacity of current communication systems and, in particular,
1-45 enhance the quality of distance learning--a program that allows
1-46 students in remote locations to take classes via their television;
1-47 and
1-48 WHEREAS, Distance learning is particularly important in our
1-49 state where many young people live in rural areas, often a great
1-50 distance from schools, and can help address the current teacher
1-51 shortage; and
1-52 WHEREAS, The educational potential inherent in increased use
1-53 of both traditional and innovative telephone service technology is
1-54 beginning to be realized in isolated instances by a few school
1-55 districts across the state, but fuller and more widespread
1-56 realization of this potential will continue to be impeded by the
1-57 existing cost factors; and
1-58 WHEREAS, The rate charged to our state's school districts for
1-59 local and long-distance telephone service and new services such as
1-60 fiber-optic systems should be studied in light of the many
1-61 important benefits modern telephone systems provide that can
1-62 improve the quality, safety, and efficiency of our schools; now,
1-63 therefore, be it
1-64 RESOLVED, That the 73rd Legislature of the State of Texas
1-65 hereby request the Public Utility Commission of Texas to study the
1-66 feasibility of establishing a differential rate structure for
1-67 telephone services to our state's school districts; and, be it
1-68 further
2-1 RESOLVED, That this study be undertaken in a timely fashion
2-2 so that schools can take prompt action based on the commission's
2-3 findings; and, be it further
2-4 RESOLVED, That if the commission determines that establishing
2-5 a differential rate structure for telephone services to school
2-6 districts is feasible and can be accomplished without legislation,
2-7 the differential rate structure be established as soon as possible;
2-8 and, be it further
2-9 RESOLVED, That the Public Utility Commission of Texas make a
2-10 full report of its findings and recommendations or actions to the
2-11 74th Legislature when it convenes in January, 1995.
2-12 * * * * *
2-13 Austin,
2-14 Texas
2-15 May 20, 1993
2-16 Hon. Bob Bullock
2-17 President of the Senate
2-18 Sir:
2-19 We, your Committee on Administration to which was referred S.C.R.
2-20 No. 40, have had the same under consideration, and I am instructed
2-21 to report it back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do
2-22 pass and be printed.
2-23 Haley,
2-24 Chairman
2-25 * * * * *
2-26 WITNESSES
2-27 No witnesses appeared on S.C.R. No. 40.