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John,
Early this morning, after more than 10 hours of heated floor debate, the Texas House passed Senate Bill 2, a private school voucher scheme, by a vote of 85-63 [[link removed]] . This bill is a direct and calculated attack on our public education system. It would steal our public dollars to pay for private schools that are unaccountable to taxpayers and free to discriminate against students.
SB 2 doesn’t help kids, it helps politicians, and the lawmakers who passed it chose political ambition over Texas students. We won't forget that.
Time and again, Texans have said no to vouchers — parents, teachers, students, and even local conservative leaders. But Gov. Abbott and his allies chose to ignore the overwhelming opposition and push their agenda anyway. During debate, Rep. James Talarico proposed an amendment to let us, the voters, decide on vouchers this November. The House shut it down, along with over 40 other amendments, definitively denying the people their voice.
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While I’m grieving this loss, I’m also filled with deep gratitude. Thank you to everyone who showed up — yesterday and all the days before. Every chant, every testimony, every email and phone call mattered. Still matters. We are on the side of our students and schools, and we are not alone.
Soon, SB 2 will be on the governor's desk for final consideration. TFN and our allies are staying in this fight until we see a Texas where every child, no matter their background, identity, or income, has access to a high-quality public education. We’re not going to forget who turned their backs on millions of Texas kids. And we're not going to stop fighting and holding them accountable.
Stay tuned for what that continued fight will look like. For now, take a deep breath, and take care.
For our students,
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Felicia Martin (she/her/ella)
TFN Executive Director & President
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TFN is a statewide non-partisan, grassroots organization that is building an informed and effective movement working toward equality and social justice.
Texas Freedom Network
P.O. Box 1624
Austin, TX 78767
United States
Phone: (512) 322-0545
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