Wednesday, August 31, 2005

 

On The Gulf Coast, Freedom Is On The Marsh

Well, we've figured out what to do with all those refugees -- after their stint in the Astrodome, they're going to become temporary Texans:

AUSTIN, TX (AP): Texas public schools will enroll children of Hurricane Katrina refugees sheltered within each district.

The Texas Education Agency has been directed to provide all needed support for districts having to absorb children from Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. TEA has said the refugee children can qualify as "homeless" and may enroll without proof of residence.

Also, normal immunization requirements for attending school or child-care facilities in Texas will be temporarily waived for children displaced by the hurricane. Schools are allowed to waive the 22-to-one teacher-student requirement.

Districts with an influx of 50 or more students can get an immediate funding increase, rather than waiting until the end of the school year.

Austin schools are working to ensure the students get backpacks, school supplies and clothes.

Now here's a project for enterprising Democratic elections attorneys: Let's figure out a way to insure that these displaced folks get to vote, somewhere -- either in Texas, or in their respective home states. I've got a feeling they won't be voting Republican come 2006.

posted by Michael 11:28 PM