WBBCF Let`s Finish the Job! March 2009

WEST BROOK BUS CRASH FAMILIES
148 S. DOWLEN #710, BEAUMONT, TX 77707
www.safebuses4kids.org
LET’S FINISH THE JOB WE STARTED IN 2007!
BILL:
CSSB 1 Budget Bill
WHAT:
Support Article 3 funding for seat belts in school buses. The provision is
presently pending in the Article 9. It reimburses school districts for
compliance with “Ashley and Alicia’s Law” (HB323) passed in 2007.
WHY:
Implements the law requiring seat belts on school buses. Makes Texas’
school children safer and provides peace of mind for parents.
At the close of the 2007 session, Governor Perry signed “Ashley and Alicia’s Bill”
(HB323) into law requiring lap-shoulder “three point” seat belts on all newly purchased school
buses in Texas beginning Sept. 1, 2010. The Bill passed with overwhelming bi-partisan support:
unanimously in the Texas Senate; a vote of 132 to 5 in the Texas House. The law honors the
memory of Ashley Brown and Alicia Bonura, members of the West Brook High School girls’
soccer team, killed in the bus crash of March 29, 2006. At the signing in the West Brook High
School library on June 8, 2007, Governor Perry remarked that the law would make “Texas
school children safer and give peace of mind to Texas parents.” He pledged funding to make the
provisions of the law a reality.
It is time to finish the job we started in 2007. For the compliance provisions to take effect,
the law requires that school districts be reimbursed for the cost of the seat belts. The Legislative
Budget Board has estimated the fiscal year cost to be $31 million/year. We believe that estimate
is high and that costs will run $20 million/year. Funds for this budget are only needed in fiscal
year 2011 since the provisions do not take effect until Sept. 1, 2010.
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If compliance provisions are not funded, they will not take effect. If we wait to implement
the provisions, school children will remain at risk of serious injury and death. Our work in
2007 will have been wasted. Since 2007, the action by Texas lawmakers to require seatbelts
on school buses has been overwhelmingly validated. It is the right and safe thing to do for
Texas school children and their parents.
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Costs are reasonable. Less than $15.00/student rider. While we know this is a tough budget
year, whether $31 or 20 million, the amount is very small compared to TEA’s overall budget.
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School districts support funding. Polling by the LBB indicates that 74% of Texas school
districts are implementing or preparing to implement the provisions of Ashley and Alicia’s
law. Funding will allow those school districts to move forward in their efforts to better
protect children.
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Parents and teachers support funding. Recent parent polls confirm parental concerns over
lack of seat belts in buses and support for funding. The greater peace of mind of parents, the
more parents who will willingly use school transportation saving funds in tough economic
times and reducing emissions on the environment. The Texas PTA supports funding.
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Funding has received broad, bi-partisan support from Texas lawmakers. Article 3 funding is
included in the Senate’s proposed budget.
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Texas leadership. Your efforts have been applauded in Washington and in several states that
are considering similar legislation. We need to show them that a Texan finishes what he
starts – that we truly do care for the safety of our school children and the peace of mind of
their parents. As more states follow Texas’ lead, the argument for federal funding stream to
support state efforts will gather momentum.
As parents and children who have suffered through the catastrophic results of a crash
involving a bus not equipped with seat belts, our prayers were answered when the Texas
Legislature passed Ashley and Alicia’s Law in 2007. It is time we finish the job and make those
protections and piece of mind a reality for all Texas school children and their parents. Thank you
for your continued support of this important effort.
West Brook Bus Crash Families
For further information, please contact:
Stephen Forman – (409) 656-5263 or Brad Brown – (409) 351-4208.
In Memory of
Ashley and Alicia
Ashley Sheridan Brown
October 6, 1989 – March 29, 2006
Alicia Christine Bonura
October 26, 1987 – March 29, 2006
One Goal – The Safety of Our Children
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