It is shocking that our so-called conservative state officials are continually pushing for bigger government. They ought to be reminded that conservatives believe in limiting the government, rather than expanding the bureaucracy or welfare state.
The late Sen. Jesse Helms described the issue well: “Conservatism is a hard choice for a society that has become accustomed to big government and big entitlements promoted by liberals.” In the case of school vouchers, it seems to be a big entitlement program promoted by “conservatives.”
Following Election Day, Gov. Greg Abbott visited a small private school in Tyler to host a press conference on his billionaire donors’ pet project: school vouchers. He claimed hardcore proponents would hold the majority in the Texas House next session and would get the voucher bill across the finish line.
Later in the week, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick announced the voucher bill was his top priority; he even suggested Abbott declare it an emergency item. As the governor stood in front of a reportedly financially struggling private school, promising this and that, it just seemed so contrary to the core ideals of the Republican Party to see him push for a new entitlement program.
Texans need to think it through. The voucher crowd frequently demands: “The money should follow the child.” But guess what will ultimately follow the money? Big government. When has the government ever handed out “free-money” with no strings attached? Conservatives turned down Medicaid expansion in Texas due to the federal strings attached and a concern of an expanding government. As reported in the Texas Tribune, Abbott called it a “tax increase waiting to happen.” Vouchers are no different.
We must be wary of the publicization of our private schools. Private-schoolers and homeschoolers, do you want the Texas Education Agency meddling in your child’s education? Do you want your kids to be required to take standardized tests? Do private schools want their finances, curriculum, and outcomes open to public oversight? The hoops the TEA makes public schools jump through are a great burden, especially small and rural schools. Imagine if struggling private schools also were subjected to the TEA’s authority.
Abbott claimed Texas could have the “best public schools in America and also school choice.” He said it is wrong to “pit one against another.” So I wonder why the governor is holding public school finance (including teacher pay raises) hostage until he gets school vouchers passed.
The Texas Constitution demands the Legislature maintain a free and efficient public school system, yet the governor neglects public schools and seems focused only on helping private schools. If he is so serious about having both systems strong, why is he not prioritizing the 5.5 million kids in the public school sector as the Constitution demands?
Abbott also claimed that Republicans and Democrats support vouchers. But last session, a bipartisan majority in the Texas House blocked vouchers. And just this election, voters in various states were given the choice at the ballot box — Nebraskans repealed their school voucher program, Kentuckians defeated a voucher proposal, and Coloradans defeated a constitutional amendment for “school choice.” Arizona is faced with dealing with the severe budget shortfall brought on by vouchers.
If Abbott is concerned for low-income students, why is he pushing for universal vouchers, where even the wealthy elite can get a government coupon?
If he is so committed to both private and public school students, why aren’t his press conferences at Texas public schools? The educators and parents in Brock ISD, Aledo ISD, Graford ISD, or Perrin-Whitt CISD would surely like to host Abbott to tell him their concerns directly.
So, I have a proposal for Gov. Abbott. I propose we meet at a public school in rural Texas to engage in a public discussion on the sole issue we disagree on: school vouchers.
Texans deserve to understand this issue from both sides of the debate. Abbott owes it to rural Texans to present his clear stance on the matter and sell his idea to community leaders. I look forward to a lively discussion and look forward to introducing Abbott to our fine rural Texas educators.
Rep. Glenn Rogers, R-Graford, represents District 60 in the Texas House of Representatives.
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