Calvin Tillman served as mayor of DISH, TX, from 2009 to 2011, during which time he facilitated the construction of a municipal park, library, and remodeled the municipal building while maintaining the area's lowest tax rate. The town doubled in size and its population grew by 25%. In 2011, he moved away from DISH due to health concerns about a nearby gas processing facility and chose not to run for reelection. He later served on the Aubrey, TX City Council from 2015 to 2017, focusing on key issues for the growing city. Following the COVID pandemic, Calvin co-founded the Cooke County Conservatives, advocating for accountability and conservative values. He remains active in politics and grassroots campaigns, emphasizing medical freedom, parental rights, and private property rights. In 2023, he received the Champion of Freedom Award from Grassroots America, marking a significant recognition by the Texas grassroots community.

In this episode of DIScourse, Calvin expands on his concerns about how Texas is veering off course when it comes to enhancing the well-being of its residents, as the present trajectory primarily benefits a wealthy elite formed by both donors and politicians, magnifying their wealth with the aid of political representation. Tune in as Jackie Besinger and her guest Calvin Tillman delve into actionable solutions for addressing the skyrocketing property taxes exacerbated by the legislature's imprudent spending. The current conduct observed in the Texas legislature mirrors that of socialist Europe, characterized by excessive entitlements that burden taxpayers. With straightforward solutions at hand, one must ask: why isn't the Texas legislature taking decisive action? This vital interview is not to be missed, as your financial future rests in the balance.

Tune in with OBBM Network TV as Jackie Besinger and her guest Calvin Tillman uncover powerful strategies to tackle the soaring property taxes driven by reckless legislative spending, empowering homeowners to take control of their financial futures.

Categories: News & Information

Starring: Jackie Besinger and Calvin Tillman

Mark Hall is not just a Texas lawyer; he is also the visionary film director behind the powerful documentary Killing Ed, which explores pressing education issues with a unique visual lens. Killing Ed delves into the explosive expansion of the largest charter school operator in the USA, the Gulen Movement—an Islamic group that originated in Turkey and now operates from Pennsylvania. Through firsthand accounts from teachers, experts, and parents, alongside testimonies from former followers of cleric Fethullah Gulen, the documentary uncovers a troubling web of questionable practices that serve the Movement's non-educational objectives, raising critical concerns about the educational quality for over 70,000 students enrolled in these charter schools. The film concludes with a striking epilogue featuring footage from the violent July 2016 coup attempt in Turkey, revealing the far-reaching implications of the Movement's influence.

School choice, often mistakenly viewed as a predominantly conservative or American concept, has rich historical roots that extend back to the 1930s to the early 1980s, gaining significant traction from Soviet Communist and socialist ideology, particularly through the efforts of University of California–Berkeley professors John E. “Jack” Coons and Stephen Sugarman, who championed this initiative to help low-income families; their advocacy for vouchers as a mechanism for school choice resonated powerfully with socialist progressives in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s, who sought to dismantle the perceived "elitism" entrenched in public education, marking it as a pivotal movement for expanding the so-called "education freedom" and opportunity in education. Raising significant questions about the Republican Party's current policies that align with these ideologies and their support for international cultist organizations like the Gülen Movement. Why is the Republican Party choosing a system that emphasizes control while using taxpayer money to fund private organizations? Texas already has numerous educational options that don't require excessive funding to address existing problems.

To gain a clearer understanding of this overlooked narrative, watch Killing Ed by director Mark Hall on OBBM Network TV, which reveals the troubling realities behind these misleading voucher choices.

Categories: Education
Starring: Jackie Besinger and Mark Hall

In this episode of DIScourse, we engage with Chris Scott, Chief Financial Officer of Eanes ISD, who brings over 30 years of experience in the field of public education, including two decades in finance and roles as a teacher and assistant principal. His insights shed light on the critical impact of educational funding and the complex policies that must be navigated to maintain the district's financial stability. As Texas public schools confront a severe crisis due to inadequate state funding, we delve into the dire straits threatening public education, highlighting the urgent need for action and reform to safeguard the future of Texas students and public schools.

The alarming decline in public education funding has reached a critical juncture, particularly illustrated by the struggles of districts like Eanes ISD, which face a $3.3 million shortfall this year and a projected $6.5 million deficit for the next. This financial crisis is rooted in a web of legislation that has perpetuated underfunding, aging recapture systems, and increasing mandates that lack the fiscal support necessary for effective implementation. As public education navigates these treacherous waters, we must confront the stark realities: the burden of unfunded and underfunded programs crucial to student development, and the cessation of vital courses that enrich our children's academic experiences.

As we witness school closures spread across the country, from California to Florida, it becomes imperative to confront the pressing question: Can Texas public school districts endure these encroaching deficits? The stagnant budgets and inadequate state funding have long been barriers to quality public education. We stand at a critical juncture, facing an educational landscape stripped of vital resources. The survival of Eanes ISD and similar districts relies on our commitment to advocate for a thorough reevaluation of funding practices, ensuring that the financial needs of our schools are prioritized. The future of Texas children is at stake, and we must act decisively in response to this urgent crisis.
Districts like Cy-Fair ISD and Eanes ISD are not the only districts grappling with insufficient funding, severely impacting essential areas such as school security, teachers with academic specialties, and support for students with special needs, to mention just some of the underfunded policies forced by legislation. Since 2019, Texas school districts have not seen an increase in the basic allotment per student, despite skyrocketing operational costs driven by inflation and the massive recapture by the state. Eanes ISD exemplifies this crisis, as the absence of funding increases against a backdrop of a 22 percent rise in costs due to inflation underscores the daunting financial challenges facing schools in their mission to provide critical services.

The time for action is now; we must unite to advocate for the future of Texas children and the integrity of our public education system. Join OBBM Network TV for more DIScourse.