One-third of all city finance officers in the state change annually. We have an annual finance officer school where we touch on everything from writing minutes to budgeting.

There is a big difference between government finance and regular finance.

The municipal league provides a network so if I have a problem, I know there is a pool of information and knowledge from other finance officers across the state.

We haven't gotten any bounces yet. I imagine sooner or later our fortunes are going to change and we're going to get some luck our way but there are only three games left.

If there's a culprit, (it's) those special interests who don't want school finance to pass, ... Certain lobbyists — rich and greedy lobbyists for the Texas chemical companies, for some oil and gas companies — are really out of touch with their members. They did everything they could to block school finance.

With over $8 billion available before the Perry tax plan is even considered, any school finance plan that leaves our children's schools and their teachers out of the equation just doesn't add up.