In Lubbock, Texas, the debate over school vouchers remains a hot topic, with local pastors leading the charge against the proposed Education Savings Accounts (ESA) legislation. Reverend Charles Johnson, who hosted a call to action meeting, voiced strong concerns about how the bill could negatively impact both public and private education systems, as reported by KCBD.
Johnson challenged the governor’s assertion that school voucher funding would not come from public schools, emphasizing that the already underfunded public education system would struggle even more with additional cuts. Furthermore, Johnson expressed his opposition to any government involvement in religious or private schools, arguing that public tax dollars should not be used to fund religious institutions.
Additionally, during a season at the Capitol this month, Patty Quincy, director of Public Affairs and Legislative Council for the Texas Chapter of the American Federation of Teachers, shared that on the second lobby day, educators from all over the state are taking personal time to lobby against school vouchers and for more public school funding. The Texas Legislature is currently debating a billion-dollar voucher program, which would allow wealthy families to use vouchers for up to $10,000 at private schools or take $2,000 for homeschooling.
Another attendee emphasized that public schools are essential, having taught in public schools for 12 years and raised his three children in the public education system. He argued that the solution to improving public schools is increasing funding, not diverting money to private institutions because vouchers are part of a broader push for the privatization of education, which undermines the constitutional responsibility to fund public education.
On the other hand, Lubbock mother Angela Cardenas shared a recording of a phone call with Representative Carl Tepper, in which he dismissed concerns about a canceled town hall and expressed his firm support for school choice. Cardenas, frustrated with the lack of engagement from local lawmakers, emphasized that even if they refuse to meet with the public, citizens will continue to voice their concerns.
“I’ve always run on a school choice mandate. I plainly ran on being for school choice,” Tepper said. “I continue to be for school choice. It’s a very thoughtful bill; the bill does have accountability.”
