At the 2022 Texas State Republican Convention in Houston, Texas, the Platform Committee was tasked with assembling, homogenizing, and editing planks for the party platform. School Choice was one of the proposed planks debated.
One argument against the plank: Government funding comes with “strings attached”.
I pointed to the GI Bill. Upon my honorable discharge from the U.S. Navy, I was eligible to use my education benefits to attend Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary without strings attached. The GI Bill funds support the veterans, not the educational institutions.
A second argument against the plank: (I paraphrase) State funding is for the government schools, not for non-government schools.
My point: Texas state education funding is for the students, not governmental entities. The education money for K through 12 students follows the student. When a family moves from Dallas to either Rockwall or Royse City, the money follows the student in the form of average daily attendance payments to government schools. The intent of our state law is clear: the education funds are provided for the student, not the state.
School Choice was supported by the majority of delegates to the 31 senate district caucuses. Platform members voted accordingly.
John White
Rockwall, Texas
SD-2
John N. White 