‘Let’s Debate!’ Talarico Calls Out Abbott in Voucher Feud

An X confrontation occurred between Texas Governor Greg Abbott and State Representative James Talarico. The dispute was over school vouchers in Texas.

Gov. Abbott supports this scheme and has been widely promoting the school voucher program, which he refers to as school choice. The voucher program demands the use of public money to pay for private school tuition. The same funding would go to public schools or be used in public infrastructure.

“I believe we can fully fund public education while recognizing that one size does not fit all,” said Republican House Speaker Dustin Burrows, as reported by Austin American Statesman

Abbott and Talarico held their confrontation on X, the dispute started when Talarico posted a critical video in which he expressed his strong disapproval of Abbott’s private school vouchers, which, as he refers to them, are a scam.

The X post’s description says: “Vouchers don’t give us choice. Vouchers give our tax dollars to unaccountable private schools that can discriminate against our kids.”

“Can I tell you what drives me crazy?” Talarico said, “Greg Abbott is calling his private school voucher scam ‘school choice,’” alluding to the current injustices between private and public education.

Talarico also claimed that Texas already has choices. “A parent can choose to send their child to their neighborhood school, a public charter school, a magnet school, […] or any number of academies, career and technical schools,” he continued. “I am all for even more options. But what I’m not for is giving away our precious taxpayer dollars to unaccountable private schools.” 

As a response to Abbott’s argument that school vouchers create a competitive environment between the private and public sectors, Talarico replied: “I like competition, but only if it’s fair.”

This injustice consists of private schools not having to take the same tests, follow the same rules, and also discriminating against students, by not having to accept them.

One hour after Talarico’s X was posted, Gov. Abbott confronted him.

Abbott continued the dispute retweeting Talarico’s post: “What a scam artist this guy is. He knows that not all families get into charter schools because there is a massive waitlist to get into them. He hopes you don’t know that. He’s just a liar because he’s losing. School choice is coming to Texas.”

Talarico replied to Abbott once again, responding: “You act so tough on Twitter. Let’s debate school vouchers in person. You can pick the time, venue, format, and moderator. I’ll be there. What’s your answer?”

While this question remains unanswered, the proposition resulted in X users getting excited by the possible event. Everyone appears to be in favor of a real discussion over this crucial matter.