How Texas gov't. can affect residents of Texarkana, Ark.

I wrote in a previous entry on this blog that legislation in Austin can have just as much an effect on Texarkana, Arkansas residents as the goings on in Little Rock. We've seen good examples recently with the implementation of the Arkansas Clean Indoor Air Act and the Texas $1 hike in cigarette taxes. We may be about to see another good example of this, although it doesn't specifically include legislation from Austin, but an executive order that was signed by Texas Gov. Rick Perry mandating that all female students 12 years of age or older be vaccinated for the cervical cancer causing infection HPV (or obtain written objections from their parents). You can read Governor Perry's Executive Order here.

One disappointment I notice here on the Arkansas-side is the fact that many residents continue to live here but pay tuition to send their children to Texas High (or other Texas-side public schools) on the basis that they believe Texas schools and teachers are "better" than their Arkansas counterparts. You never know what can cause a parent to change their mind and return their children to Arkansas-side schools, and it could be something as small as this new requirement. Of course, these decisions are mostly made on other grounds/circumstances, such as teachers, curriculum, reputation, friends of the students, etc., but you never know. The new Arkansas High has already stopped the outflux of students, and the magnet school concept has already increased enrollment. If we can continue to change the perception that residents have of the school system and close the gap on experienced teacher pay, we may see an end to vehicles with Arkansas plates decorated with Texas High stickers.