In a Sunday editorial, the Houston Chronicle, the biggest newspaper in Texas, attacked Governor Greg Abbott for backing a school voucher idea that the editorial staff finds troubling.
Spending public money on private education has met strong resistance in the Lone Star State. The governor’s commitment to oust the Republicans in the House who had steadfastly opposed his school voucher program persisted throughout the primary season.
Reports on campaign finances show that Abbott spent a substantial $6.1 million between January 26 and February 24 to fulfill his campaign promise.
Despite calling numerous special sessions, Abbott could not pass a bill that would have allowed parents to redirect educational tax dollars to private or religious schools rather than public ones. The debate lasted for an entire year. A coalition of Democrats and a small group of about twenty-four Republicans hailing from rural areas was primarily responsible for the loss. Public schools play a crucial role in supporting these communities.
The number of Texans who support school vouchers rose sharply following the state’s primary on Super Tuesday. Nine newly elected Republicans who are in favor of vouchers joined the House under Abbott’s wing, displacing nine Republicans who were opposed to the program before.
A Sunday op-ed in the Chronicle expressed worry over the possible outcomes of Abbott’s staunch endorsement of school vouchers. Schools in rural and urban locations struggle to make ends meet because of the state’s massive budget shortfall, which the editorial board brought to light. The report said the Legislature should have prioritized sufficient financing for public schools last year.
By rallying behind House Republicans who had previously backed his school voucher idea, Abbott has proven that he is hell-bent on pursuing it.
According to the Chronicle, the governor is helping a small group of wealthy Texans—including Midland millionaire Tim Dunn and the Wilks brothers of Cisco—seek to channel public funds into private Christian schools.
Following the outcome of Super Tuesday, many who support public schools voiced their worries about the possible budgetary consequences of implementing vouchers.
