Episode 202: John Sharp Speaks
The former state comptroller and author of Governor Perry's school finance law talks about restructuring the system and how long his solution might last. With a short documentary following Sharp on a hunting trip in South Texas, talkin' politics and shootin' doves.
Panelists:
- Wayne Slater, Dallas Morning News
- John Sharp, Former State Comptroller
- Scott McCown, Center for Public Policy Priorities
Wayne Slater is Senior Political Writer for Dallas Morning News, has appeared on numerous network news shows, is co-author of the New York Times best seller, Bush's Brain: How Karl Rove Made George W. Bush Presidential, and has reported on seven sessions of the Texas Legislature and the administrations of Texas Govs. Clements, Richards, Bush and Perry.
John SharpJohn Sharp is a principal at Ryan & Company, a Dallas-based tax-consulting firm. He was appointed by Governor Rick Perry in 2005 to serve as Chair of the Texas Tax Reform Commission. In 1990 Mr. Sharp was elected Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. During his eight years of service in that office he initiated many innovative programs, including the Texas Performance Review, the Texas School Performance Review, the Texas Tomorrow Fund and the Lone Star Card, all of which still benefit the Comptroller's office and the State today. He was elected to the Texas House of Representatives, representing Victoria and Calhoun counties, and was later elected as a State Senator from South Texas. In 1985 he was elected to the Texas Railroad Commission where he served a four-year term. A graduate of Texas A&M University, he was elected class president as well as student body president. He also earned a Master's Degree in Public Administration from Texas State University while working full time at the Legislative Budget Board in Austin.
Scott McCown was named one of "The 25 Most Powerful People in Texas Politics" and a "voice for the voiceless" by Texas Monthly Magazine. As Executive Director of the Center for Public Policy Priorities, he has been involved in public policy for over twenty years. Scott retired as a state district judge to become director at the center 2002. Before that, Judge McCown presided over some of our state's most difficult cases, including the public school finance cases. Scott earned a Bachelor of Science, cum laude, in 1976 from Texas Christian University, and a Doctor of Jurisprudence, with Honors, in 1979 from The University of Texas School of Law. In recognition of his legal accomplishments, the American Law Institute elected him to membership.
Research Links:
- "An Analysis of the Sharp Commission Plan," Dick Lavine, CPPP.org, April 17, 2006.
- "Sharp Commission Makes Recommendations Increasing Professional Fees," AccountingWEB.com, June 2, 2007.
- "He cleared the path for school finance reform," Dallas Morning News, December 26, 2006.
- "William McKenzie on the state of school finance," Tyler Morning Telegraph, February 7, 2006.
- "Sharp's school finance plan seems on target," Tyler Morning Telegraph, February 7, 2006.
- "Sharp takes questions from the house," CapitolAnnex.com, April 17. 2006.
