Funding and Vouchers Update

The House debated funding and vouchers yesterday, starting with funding. After many efforts to add amendments that would have increased the money going to our schools, most of which weren't even debated or voted on, HB 2, the House funding bill, passed with just over half the amount of money our schools needed to make up for inflation. It'll be a much-needed infusion of money into our schools and I think it'll make a difference for our teachers, but don't let state leaders convince you their "historic investment" and "record amount of new funding" are anything more than insulting labels to cover their continuation of a decades-long effort to defund our public schools. This bill will now go behind closed doors to be reconciled with the Senate funding bill and who knows what will come out on the other side. Fingers crossed. 

And, after the President and state leaders showed up on a caucus call this morning and threatened members with expensive primaries and the loss of all their bills this session, our weakest House members caved and voted against their constituents by voting for SB 2, the voucher bill. Nothing got changed about the bill. Every single amendment was tabled, which means taken off the table, I guess, without reason or discussion. The whole thing was a shady mockery of democracy.  

They tabled an amendment offered by Rep. James Talarico that would have given us the final say on this bill in a referendum in November. We, the people, could have voted on it and decided it once and for all. While state leaders claim it's illegal, it was used in the 1980's to determine whether the State Board of Education members would be appointed or voted on, and most experts appear to agree it's possible. The amendment, like all the rest, was voted to be tabled by about the same number of people who ultimately voted against the bill. Clearly they didn't think it would pass. And they're right. Republican representatives said they were getting anti-voucher phone calls 8 or 9 to 1. The crowd at the Capitol was overwhelmingly anti-voucher. Overwhelmingly. They know it's a stinker. 

And this is not over. I think it will get held up in the courts for a while. And in the meantime, we will continue to fight for our teachers and schools, we will continue to educate our communities, and we will double down on our get-out-the vote efforts in the fall. Today was so smug and sketchy. and such a glaring example of a small crew of powerful people merrily and shamelessly abusing their power, that I honestly think they've lost and they don't even know it.  We need a new Texas and we're going to have to fight for it. But we're used to that and we're here for it. 

And there were lots of silver linings to the day. For one thing, the floor fight was amazing. Our representatives gave it their all! It was powerful, y'all. So many great speeches! And we got constant love and attention, including lots of food, drinks, and even a midnight snack, from a number of House member's offices. Once I get some sleep, we'll send out a list of folks you definitely need to call and thank. 

We fought a great fight, y'all! We couldn't beat the corruption, or the selfishness, or maybe just the thoughtlessness - I don't know what the problem is. But that's them, not us. We are dragon riders, every one of us. This community we've built here this session, maybe because of this relentlessly uneven battle, is amazing, and beautiful, and y'all should be incredibly proud. I know I am. Today was glorious. All day long, we were everywhere. YOU SHOWED UP! 

Thank you, thank you!!. We didn't get what we wanted but we made lifetime memories, built stronger relationships with each other and so many other advocates and advocacy organizations, and truly kicked ass in every single way. We will plan a celebration of this amazing adventure we've been on together soon. 

We still have another month and a half to go and there's no one I would rather slog through the Texas muck with. And then promise me you'll come along with me as we build a new Texas. What we saw today was not okay. We deserve better. Let's work toward better.