Senator Royce West also responded to President Trump’s allegation that DEI played a role in the American Airlines crash at Reagan National Airport.
DALLAS — Only hours after an American Airlines plane collided with a U.S. military helicopter at Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C., President Donald Trump, without evidence, implied the crash was the result of federal diversity and inclusion hiring standards.
State Senator Royce West, D-Dallas, was having none of it, pushing back on the implication during our conversation for Inside Texas Politics.
“What I heard him say is that this was the result of DEI. Come on,” Senator West said. “How can you make such a statement when the investigation hasn’t been completed? And so, from that vantage point, I thought it was a very irresponsible statement regardless how you feel about the policy issue concerning DEI.”
Sen. West actually joined us from Washington, D.C. a couple of days after the crash. He was there attending the Democratic National Committee meeting when the party elected new leadership.
Earlier that week, the Senate Education Committee, of which he’s a member, passed SB 2, the Senate’s school choice bill.
That vote was 9-2, with the two Democrats on the committee voting against the measure.
The bill is expected to quickly pass the full Senate after Texas Governor Greg Abbott declares it an emergency item, allowing lawmakers to pass the measure within the first 60 days of the legislative session.
The education savings account (ESA) program established under the bill would provide families with up to $10,000 a year per student to fund that child’s education at an accredited private school.
It provides $11,500 for children with disabilities. And it would also give $2,000 a year to homeschoolers participating in the program.
Republicans say the legislation will prioritize those students living in low-income households and those with disabilities.
Sen. West and other Democrats don’t think that will happen, though. The bill defines low income as a total annual salary at or below 500% of the federal poverty level. Sen. West said for a family of four, that’s more than $150,000 a year in salary.
West also argued that it is a universal bill in the sense that if folks in that bracket don’t apply, then the program will open up to everyone.
The Democrat said he thinks school choice will pass this session, so lawmakers must make sure the program fulfills its promises, and that there’s accountability.
“There’s no accountability in this particular bill whatsoever,” The senator told us. “We’re giving tax dollars to private concerns without putting in place an accountability system similar to that of public schools.”
