says Greg Abbott, Gov. of Texas He has a vote now— At 76 Texas House – Passes Universal School Choiceville, the goal of the lonely Governor Governor since Rick Perry. The Senate has already passed one.
Why did it take so long to get here?
It’s no surprise that Friday night lights played the role. Of course, so did the money that Texas billionaires embraced each other’s wealth in the fight over school choices. Teachers’ Unions, like Catholics, Baptists and homeschoolers, are engaged from the start.
But it was Texas’ politically naked Texan politics, and it touched on its fulfillment. When Abbott and the Republican Texas Senator pledged in 2023 to support key challengers of school choice opponents, they did not bluff.
Let’s start with the lights on a Friday night. I once asked a representative of the state in my rural area about the issue. He answered with a simple question.
There is a lot of truth in his reaction. Public school districts are often Among the biggest employers Countryside in Texas. And soccer remains an important tradition Opponents of school choice seized the issue: “Because the school’s voucher programme is close to the law, one potential victim could be a proud Texas tradition of high school soccer. Scholarships are a major source of opportunity for teenagers, local restaurants rely on the post-game boom, and football events have engulfed the community in social division.”
The competition argument is easily dismissed. Private schools have not stolen talent or pose a threat to the Texas football dynasty. Million-dollar stadiums In the Texas Public School District.
And as Abbott recently tweeted“Florida and Arizona have the largest school selection programmes and are one of the best high school football programs in the country.”
Money discussions are also easily dismissed. Funding for Texas public schools is the highest ever. Texas House Building The school selection bill includes more funding and includes salary increases for teachers.
Money is not only at the heart of the debate, it also drives it. Deep supporters and opponents of school choice poured their wealth into the fight. There are financial institutions on the side of their parents, including Tim Dunn, Faris and Dan Wilkesmeanwhile Charles Butt (Heb grocery) supports the union.
However, public opinion is not moving much because of the amount spent. Most Texas parents support school choicesand if anything, its support is only enhanced.
In fact, last week, Texas Southern University, an HBCU agency with Barbara Jordan Public Policy Research and Research Center; Voting has been announced It shows that almost two-thirds of Texans support school choices.
In light of these figures, Abbott and his longtime ally on the issue announced in 2023 that they would campaign against Republicans who oppose saying both are America’s number one educational issue, namely Republicans, who are the ability to choose the best one for their children.
They both remained true to their words, and while in their district, Republican lawmakers pretending to be conservatives suddenly found themselves called by the governor and the US senators sitting there.
“In 2023, 21 House Republicans opposed the school selection bill that the Senate repeatedly passed.” Center Square reported. “After the legislative meeting ended, five retired and 16 ran for re-election.”
With the help of Abbott and Cruz, all but seven of them were defeated by supporters of the school’s choice. The message is “UnmistakableAbbott declared.
But as those Friday night light fans tell you, the final five yards of goal could be the toughest. Abbott and other supporters can expect strong resistance and perhaps shenanigans in their final push.
It should not stop them. Texas families have been waiting long enough.
Roy Maynard, a 30-year veteran in the news industry, is a senior writer at the Texas Public Policy Foundation and executive editor of Associated News Service.
The opinions and opinions expressed in this commentary are the views of the authors and do not reflect the official position of the Daily Caller News Foundation.
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