House Vote Slams Door Shut on Voucher Schemes
Statement from TFN President Kathy Miller on Passage of Anti-Voucher Amendment to H.B. 1
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 29, 2007
AUSTIN Tonight state House members sent a clear message in support of neighborhood schools by voting to bar public funding for private school vouchers in Texas. The vote came on an amendment to H.B. 1, the House appropriations bill. House members voted on the same day that the Senate Education Committee heard testimony on a proposed pilot voucher program (S.B. 1506 by Sen. Kyle Janek, R-Houston) for school districts in the state’s most populous counties. In addition, the same committee on Tuesday approved a voucher program (S.B. 1000, by Sen. Florence Shapiro, R-Plano) for Texas students with autism. Both bills would drain millions of dollars from neighborhood schools to pay for vouchers at private and religious schools.
Texas Freedom Network President Kathy Miller made the following statement following tonight’s House vote.
“This vote was like a homeowner slamming the door shut on pushy salesmen who won’t take no for an answer. The message to senators is don’t bother knocking on the House door peddling another voucher bill. They’re not buying.
Clearly, House members got the message last year that Texas voters are tired of efforts to undermine our neighborhood schools. If senators weren’t listening then, maybe this vote will get their attention.”
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The Texas Freedom Network is a nonpartisan, grassroots organization of religious and community leaders who advance a mainstream agenda supporting public education, religious freedom and individual liberties.
