| From | Fran Rhodes/TTP Citizen Advocates <[email protected]> |
| Subject | Did someone say "School Choice"? |
| Date | August 18, 2023 12:04 PM |
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Dear Citizen Advocates,
It's been a few weeks since we've done one of these Friday messages. I hope you've been enjoying your summer, but now school has started, it's almost September, the impeachment trial will start soon, and we're likely looking at another special session of the Legislature in October. So time to get to work!
Let's Talk About School Choice
The topic of the 3rd special session is most likely going to be school choice, or education freedom, or money follow the child. Whatever you want to call it, there are many opinions on how it should work. Here at TTP, we find that about half our supporters favor the idea, and the half oppose it. So which ever side of this issue you fall on, get ready for the fight.
But God is in the details! So when you support or oppose the school choice legislation, be sure you know what you're talking about. In other words - choose wisely. (OK, I'm a sucker for movie one liners)
Shortly after the end of the regular session, Speaker Phelan established a new select committee on Educational Opportunities and Enrichment. This committee held hearings in July and just published a report on their findings last week. School choice is one of the topics.
The committee was charged with three objectives:
1: Ensuring all Texas youths enjoy equal educational opportunity and the freedom to obtain a quality education, regardless of circumstance.
2: Improving outcomes for Texas public school students and meaningfully supporting educators and educational institutions.
3: Modernizing assessment and accountability measures for Texas schools educating K-12 students.
In each category, the report lists recommendations for meeting the objective. I read the report, and all the recommendations and, in my opinion, most of them can be boiled down to one sentence - "spend more money". Isn't that the answer to any problem governments face?
Objective #1 - this ensuring all Texas youths enjoy equal educational ....blah, blah, blah, is the one that involves school choice, so let's take a closer look at that one.
First of all, this committee thinks you already enjoy school choice for your children through the availability of specialized schools, STEM Academies, Career and Technical Education, Early College High Schools, etc., as well as the ability to transfer between districts or a different school withing a district.
Is that your idea of "Educational Freedom" - you get to chose which government school your child attends? Oh, you wanted to use your own property tax funds to send your kids to private school, or home school? No - that's not on the table for this committee.
And here's specifically what they had to say on the subject:
"5. If the Legislature chooses to enact a parental choice program, it should clearly outline student eligibility to ensure success and target certain student populations to ensure that each program participant is assessed to make apparent academic outcomes. The program should prioritize high need students. The program should include appropriate safeguards to ensure fiscal responsibility and accountability including, but not limited to, a finite
appropriation to fund the program using General Revenue funds and not funds from Foundation School Program. Ultimately, the program needs to value the best interest of the student, parent and taxpayer, preserving the quality of education."
Key words there - "eligibility", "target certain student populations", "prioritize high need students". And don't forget accountability - "safeguards to ensure fiscal responsibility and accountability." (Accountability = Regulation)
Many of you oppose school choice all together and I respect that for whatever your reasons. My caution here is to the folks who support school choice. Be sure that what you're giving support to is worthy of it. Just because it's called "school choice" doesn't mean that it will deliver YOUR idea of education freedom. God is in the details!
Consider SB8 from the 88th Regular session. It passed the Senate and came close in the House, and LG Patrick refers to it a "universal school choice". But it's far from universal! It limits participation to only students who have been enrolled in public school already, and attended public school at least 90% of the previous school year. So if you're looking for financial help for your child that is home schooled, or in a private school already - they don't qualify. And did you know that this bill not only pays $8,000 to each qualified student who withdraws, but in rural districts, it also pays $10,000 to the district for each student that withdraws. Sounds like bribery to me!
It also creates a new bureaucracy (aka more money out the door) to administer the funds to the ESA accounts, and it has all sorts of strings attached to taking that money. Is that your idea of school choice? It certainly isn't mine.
You can read the entire committee report here and judge for yourself. Whatever position your have on the subject, I urge you to educate yourself on the specifics of whatever is proposed and then choose your support or opposition with the facts in hand. Then get ready to defend your position cause it's coming up soon!
Impeachment Trial of AG Paxton
As mentioned before, we will take a team of activists to the Capitol on Sept 5 for the start of the impeachment trial. We have about 12 already signed up to go. If you would like to join - just reply to this message. I don't have any details yet about the time, but we'll update you as we get information. We'll deliver letters to the Senators' offices, and be in the gallery for the start of the trial.
Remember that our opposition to this impeachment is about the unfair, unconstitutional, and frankly shoddy process that was brought to bear. We believe it is politically motivated and if successful, endangers all other elected officers who are out of favor with House leadership. It must not stand.
Taxpayers Win in Tarrant County
We had some property tax wins in Tarrant County this week thanks to citizen advocates who showed up, as well as thanks to honest elected representatives who keep their campaign promises. We have an advantage in Tarrant, because it's TTP's home county - where we started, so we know the players really well. But the rest of you in other counties can have that kind of success too. It just takes paying attention and then getting involved. If you know of things going on in your county, city or school district that need attention - let me know! I can send out a call to action for that region and see if we can get folks to turn out. But I need YOU all to tell me. I can't know what's going on in Lubbock County, or Cyfiar ISD, or City of Beaumont. So speak up and let's engage the army we've built to take action.
That's all for now!
For Texas always,
Fran Rhodes, President
PS: Don't forget about Constitution Boot Camps happening in September, and the Candidate Recruitment Webinar on Aug 24th. Everything is on the website calendar, so check it out.
True Texas Project works hard to train and engage activists.
Can you help?
We are 100% donation-based.
Click here to donate to our cause.
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<th class=3D"columns small-12 large-12 first last default" st=
yle=3D"word-wrap: break-word; vertical-align: top; color: #3c4144; font-fam=
ily: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; text-align: =
left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0 auto; Margin: 0 auto; wo=
rd-break: break-word; width: 564px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px=
; border-collapse: collapse; padding-top: 12px; padding-bottom: 12px;"><p s=
tyle=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weigh=
t: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt=
; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">Dear Citizen=
Advocates,</p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sa=
ns-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: l=
eft; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom:=
10px;">It's been a few weeks since we've done one of these Friday messages=
. I hope you've been enjoying your summer, but now school has started=
, it's almost September, the impeachment trial will start soon, and we're l=
ikely looking at another special session of the Legislature in October.&nbs=
p; So time to get to work!</p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: ari=
al,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0=
; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px;=
Margin-bottom: 10px;"><strong>Let's Talk About School Choice</strong></p> =
<p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-w=
eight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: =
12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">The topi=
c of the 3rd special session is most likely going to be school choice, or e=
ducation freedom, or money follow the child. Whatever you want to cal=
l it, there are many opinions on how it should work. Here at TTP, we =
find that about half our supporters favor the idea, and the half oppose it.=
So which ever side of this issue you fall on, get ready for the figh=
t. </p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-=
serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left=
; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10=
px;">But God is in the details! So when you support or oppose the school ch=
oice legislation, be sure you know what you're talking about. In othe=
r words - choose wisely. (OK, I'm a sucker for movie one liners)</p>=
=20
<figure class style=3D"margin: 0 0 1rem; Margin: 0 0 1rem;">
<!--[if mso]><center><![end-if]-->
<img class=3D"align-center" src=3D"[link removed]
.app.neoncrm.com/neon/resource/truetexasproject/images/Choose%20Wisely.jpg"=
alt=3D"Choose%20Wisely.jpg" width=3D"600" align=3D"middle" style=3D"outlin=
e: none; text-decoration: none; -ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; max-width:=
100%; clear: both; display: block; margin: 0 auto; Margin: 0 auto; float: =
none; text-align: center; height: auto;"><!--[if mso]></center><![end-if]--=
>
</figure> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,hel=
vetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text=
-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margi=
n-bottom: 10px;"> </p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,=
helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; t=
ext-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Ma=
rgin-bottom: 10px;">Shortly after the end of the regular session, Speaker P=
helan established a new select committee on Educational Opportunities and E=
nrichment. This committee held hearings in July and just published a =
report on their findings last week. School choice is one of the topic=
s.</p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;=
font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font=
-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">T=
he committee was charged with three objectives:</p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4=
144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0;=
margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;=
margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">1: Ensuring all Texas youths en=
joy equal educational opportunity and the freedom to obtain a quality educa=
tion, regardless of circumstance.</p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-fami=
ly: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Ma=
rgin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom=
: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">2: Improving outcomes for Texas public school=
students and meaningfully supporting educators and educational institution=
s.</p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;=
font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font=
-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">3=
: Modernizing assessment and accountability measures for Texas schools educ=
ating K-12 students.</p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,hel=
vetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text=
-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margi=
n-bottom: 10px;">In each category, the report lists recommendations for mee=
ting the objective. I read the report, and all the recommendations and, in =
my opinion, most of them can be boiled down to one sentence - "spend more m=
oney". Isn't that the answer to any problem governments face?</p> <p =
style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weig=
ht: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12p=
t; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">Objective #=
1 - this ensuring all Texas youths enjoy equal educational ....blah, blah, =
blah, is the one that involves school choice, so let's take a closer look a=
t that one.</p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sa=
ns-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: l=
eft; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom:=
10px;">First of all, this committee thinks you already enjoy school choice=
for your children through the availability of specialized schools, STEM Ac=
ademies, Career and Technical Education, Early College High Schools, etc., =
as well as the ability to transfer between districts or a different school =
withing a district.</p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helv=
etica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-=
align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin=
-bottom: 10px;">Is that your idea of "Educational Freedom" - you get to cho=
se which government school your child attends? Oh, you wanted to use =
your own property tax funds to send your kids to private school, or home sc=
hool? No - that's not on the table for this committee.</p> <p style=
=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 4=
00; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; li=
ne-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">And here's speci=
fically what they had to say on the subject:</p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144=
; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; ma=
rgin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; ma=
rgin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"><em>"5. If the Legislature chooses=
to enact a parental choice program, it should clearly outline student elig=
ibility to ensure success and target certain student populations to ensure =
that each program participant is assessed to make apparent academic outcome=
s. The program should prioritize high need students. The program should inc=
lude appropriate safeguards to ensure fiscal responsibility and accountabil=
ity including, but not limited to, a finite</em><br><em>appropriation to fu=
nd the program using General Revenue funds and not funds from Foundation Sc=
hool Program. Ultimately, the program needs to value the best interest of t=
he student, parent and taxpayer, preserving the quality of education."</em>=
</p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; f=
ont-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-s=
ize: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">Key=
words there - "eligibility", "target certain student populations", "priori=
tize high need students". And don't forget accountability - "safeguar=
ds to ensure fiscal responsibility and accountability." (Accountabili=
ty =3D Regulation)</p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helve=
tica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-a=
lign: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-=
bottom: 10px;">Many of you oppose school choice all together and I respect =
that for whatever your reasons. My caution here is to the folks who s=
upport school choice. Be sure that what you're giving support to is w=
orthy of it. Just because it's called "school choice" doesn't mean th=
at it will deliver YOUR idea of education freedom. God is in the deta=
ils!</p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-seri=
f; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; fo=
nt-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"=
>Consider SB8 from the 88th Regular session. It passed the Senate and=
came close in the House, and LG Patrick refers to it a "universal school c=
hoice". But it's far from universal! It limits participation to=
only students who have been enrolled in public school already, and attende=
d public school at least 90% of the previous school year. So if you'r=
e looking for financial help for your child that is home schooled, or in a =
private school already - they don't qualify. And did you know that th=
is bill not only pays $8,000 to each qualified student who withdraws, but i=
n rural districts, it also pays $10,000 to the district for each student th=
at withdraws. Sounds like bribery to me! </p> <p style=3D"color:=
#3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; paddin=
g: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height:=
1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">It also creates a new bure=
aucracy (aka more money out the door) to administer the funds to the ESA ac=
counts, and it has all sorts of strings attached to taking that money. =
; Is that your idea of school choice? It certainly isn't mine.</p> <p=
style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-wei=
ght: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12=
pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">You can re=
ad the <a title=3D"entire committee report here." href=3D"[link removed]
mails.com/emails/tracking/click-link/w0zdtXIYkW9BsxC8F4dORn7dh0dUSryyHjnMUu=
iBYyk=3D/gZvT1Jm6qXGjuhc0JOXIzEdirC8DaXC5lmEOXZjJgfM=3D" target=3D"_blank" =
rel=3D"noopener" style=3D"color: #0074d9; text-decoration: none; font-famil=
y: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: inherit; padding: 0; text-align=
: left; line-height: 1.5;">entire committee report here</a> and judge for y=
ourself. Whatever position your have on the subject, I urge you to ed=
ucate yourself on the specifics of whatever is proposed and then choose you=
r support or opposition with the facts in hand. Then get ready to def=
end your position cause it's coming up soon!</p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144=
; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; ma=
rgin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; ma=
rgin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"><strong>Impeachment Trial of AG Pa=
xton</strong></p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,=
sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align:=
left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-botto=
m: 10px;">As mentioned before, we will take a team of activists to the Capi=
tol on Sept 5 for the start of the impeachment trial. We have about 1=
2 already signed up to go. If you would like to join - just reply to =
this message. I don't have any details yet about the time, but we'll =
update you as we get information. We'll deliver letters to the Senato=
rs' offices, and be in the gallery for the start of the trial. </p> <p=
style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-wei=
ght: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12=
pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">Remember t=
hat our opposition to this impeachment is about the unfair, unconstitutiona=
l, and frankly shoddy process that was brought to bear. We believe it=
is politically motivated and if successful, endangers all other elected of=
ficers who are out of favor with House leadership. It must not stand.=
</p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; f=
ont-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-s=
ize: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"><st=
rong>Taxpayers Win in Tarrant County</strong></p> <p style=3D"color: #3c414=
4; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; m=
argin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; m=
argin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">We had some property tax wins in =
Tarrant County this week thanks to citizen advocates who showed up, as well=
as thanks to honest elected representatives who keep their campaign promis=
es. We have an advantage in Tarrant, because it's TTP's home county -=
where we started, so we know the players really well. But the rest o=
f you in other counties can have that kind of success too. It just ta=
kes paying attention and then getting involved. If you know of things=
going on in your county, city or school district that need attention - let=
me know! I can send out a call to action for that region and see if =
we can get folks to turn out. But I need YOU all to tell me. I =
can't know what's going on in Lubbock County, or Cyfiar ISD, or City of Bea=
umont. So speak up and let's engage the army we've built to take acti=
on.</p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif=
; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; fon=
t-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">=
That's all for now! </p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: aria=
l,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0;=
text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; =
Margin-bottom: 10px;">For Texas always,</p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; fon=
t-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin:=
0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-=
bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">Fran Rhodes, President</p> <p style=3D"=
color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; =
padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-h=
eight: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">PS: Don't forg=
et about Constitution Boot Camps happening in September, and the Candidate =
Recruitment Webinar on Aug 24th. Everything is on the <a title=3D"web=
site calendar," href=3D"[link removed]
nk/w0zdtXIYkW9BsxC8F4dORn7dh0dUSryyHjnMUuiBYyk=3D/gZvT1Jm6qXGjuhc0JOXIzFrhr=
WGMBVhc3jpVjWIeo-k=3D" target=3D"_blank" rel=3D"noopener" style=3D"color: #=
0074d9; text-decoration: none; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; fon=
t-weight: inherit; padding: 0; text-align: left; line-height: 1.5;">website=
calendar,</a> so check it out.</p></th>=20
</tr>=20
</tbody>
</table>=20
<table class=3D"row end-row-footer" style=3D"border-spacing: 0; =
border-collapse: collapse; vertical-align: top; text-align: left; padding: =
0; position: relative; width: 100%; display: table; margin: 0; Margin: 0; b=
ackground-color: #ffffff; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">=20
<tbody>
<tr style=3D"padding: 0; vertical-align: top; text-align: left=
;">=20
<th class=3D"columns small-12 large-12 first last default" st=
yle=3D"word-wrap: break-word; vertical-align: top; color: #3c4144; font-fam=
ily: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; text-align: =
left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0 auto; Margin: 0 auto; wo=
rd-break: break-word; width: 564px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px=
; border-collapse: collapse; padding-top: 12px; padding-bottom: 24px;"><p s=
tyle=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weigh=
t: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5=
; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;"><span styl=
e=3D"font-size: 14px;"> </span></p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-f=
amily: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0;=
Margin: 0; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-=
bottom: 10px; text-align: center;"><strong><span style=3D"color: #cc0000;">=
True Texas Project works hard to train and engage activists.<br>Can you hel=
p?<br>We are 100% donation-based.</span><br><span style=3D"color: #000055;"=
>Click </span><a href=3D"[link removed]
ink/w0zdtXIYkW9BsxC8F4dORn7dh0dUSryyHjnMUuiBYyk=3D/gZvT1Jm6qXGjuhc0JOXIzP35=
2Z15jX7qcXl5KP8pGdc=3D" style=3D"color: #0074d9; text-decoration: none; fon=
t-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: inherit; padding: 0; tex=
t-align: left; line-height: 1.5;"><span style=3D"color: #cc0000;">here</spa=
n></a><span style=3D"color: #000055;"> to donate to our cause. =
</span></strong></p>=20
<table style=3D"border-spacing: 0; border-collapse: collapse=
; padding: 0; vertical-align: top; text-align: left; max-width: 100%; width=
: 100%;" data-v-45dfea3e>=20
<tbody>=20
<tr data-v-45dfea3e style=3D"padding: 0; vertical-align: t=
op; text-align: left;">=20
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color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; =
padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-h=
eight: 1.5; width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse;" data-v-45dfea3e>
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<br><span style=3D"color: #000080;"><span style=3D"font=
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dly just delete. No need to send in a complaint or unsubscribe. =
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------=_Part_72508213_977615854.1692360292006--
------=_Part_72508212_1276755171.1692360291970--
If you're having trouble viewing this email, you can see it online, [link removed].
Dear Citizen Advocates,
It's been a few weeks since we've done one of these Friday messages. I hope you've been enjoying your summer, but now school has started, it's almost September, the impeachment trial will start soon, and we're likely looking at another special session of the Legislature in October. So time to get to work!
Let's Talk About School Choice
The topic of the 3rd special session is most likely going to be school choice, or education freedom, or money follow the child. Whatever you want to call it, there are many opinions on how it should work. Here at TTP, we find that about half our supporters favor the idea, and the half oppose it. So which ever side of this issue you fall on, get ready for the fight.
But God is in the details! So when you support or oppose the school choice legislation, be sure you know what you're talking about. In other words - choose wisely. (OK, I'm a sucker for movie one liners)
Shortly after the end of the regular session, Speaker Phelan established a new select committee on Educational Opportunities and Enrichment. This committee held hearings in July and just published a report on their findings last week. School choice is one of the topics.
The committee was charged with three objectives:
1: Ensuring all Texas youths enjoy equal educational opportunity and the freedom to obtain a quality education, regardless of circumstance.
2: Improving outcomes for Texas public school students and meaningfully supporting educators and educational institutions.
3: Modernizing assessment and accountability measures for Texas schools educating K-12 students.
In each category, the report lists recommendations for meeting the objective. I read the report, and all the recommendations and, in my opinion, most of them can be boiled down to one sentence - "spend more money". Isn't that the answer to any problem governments face?
Objective #1 - this ensuring all Texas youths enjoy equal educational ....blah, blah, blah, is the one that involves school choice, so let's take a closer look at that one.
First of all, this committee thinks you already enjoy school choice for your children through the availability of specialized schools, STEM Academies, Career and Technical Education, Early College High Schools, etc., as well as the ability to transfer between districts or a different school withing a district.
Is that your idea of "Educational Freedom" - you get to chose which government school your child attends? Oh, you wanted to use your own property tax funds to send your kids to private school, or home school? No - that's not on the table for this committee.
And here's specifically what they had to say on the subject:
"5. If the Legislature chooses to enact a parental choice program, it should clearly outline student eligibility to ensure success and target certain student populations to ensure that each program participant is assessed to make apparent academic outcomes. The program should prioritize high need students. The program should include appropriate safeguards to ensure fiscal responsibility and accountability including, but not limited to, a finite
appropriation to fund the program using General Revenue funds and not funds from Foundation School Program. Ultimately, the program needs to value the best interest of the student, parent and taxpayer, preserving the quality of education."
Key words there - "eligibility", "target certain student populations", "prioritize high need students". And don't forget accountability - "safeguards to ensure fiscal responsibility and accountability." (Accountability = Regulation)
Many of you oppose school choice all together and I respect that for whatever your reasons. My caution here is to the folks who support school choice. Be sure that what you're giving support to is worthy of it. Just because it's called "school choice" doesn't mean that it will deliver YOUR idea of education freedom. God is in the details!
Consider SB8 from the 88th Regular session. It passed the Senate and came close in the House, and LG Patrick refers to it a "universal school choice". But it's far from universal! It limits participation to only students who have been enrolled in public school already, and attended public school at least 90% of the previous school year. So if you're looking for financial help for your child that is home schooled, or in a private school already - they don't qualify. And did you know that this bill not only pays $8,000 to each qualified student who withdraws, but in rural districts, it also pays $10,000 to the district for each student that withdraws. Sounds like bribery to me!
It also creates a new bureaucracy (aka more money out the door) to administer the funds to the ESA accounts, and it has all sorts of strings attached to taking that money. Is that your idea of school choice? It certainly isn't mine.
You can read the entire committee report here and judge for yourself. Whatever position your have on the subject, I urge you to educate yourself on the specifics of whatever is proposed and then choose your support or opposition with the facts in hand. Then get ready to defend your position cause it's coming up soon!
Impeachment Trial of AG Paxton
As mentioned before, we will take a team of activists to the Capitol on Sept 5 for the start of the impeachment trial. We have about 12 already signed up to go. If you would like to join - just reply to this message. I don't have any details yet about the time, but we'll update you as we get information. We'll deliver letters to the Senators' offices, and be in the gallery for the start of the trial.
Remember that our opposition to this impeachment is about the unfair, unconstitutional, and frankly shoddy process that was brought to bear. We believe it is politically motivated and if successful, endangers all other elected officers who are out of favor with House leadership. It must not stand.
Taxpayers Win in Tarrant County
We had some property tax wins in Tarrant County this week thanks to citizen advocates who showed up, as well as thanks to honest elected representatives who keep their campaign promises. We have an advantage in Tarrant, because it's TTP's home county - where we started, so we know the players really well. But the rest of you in other counties can have that kind of success too. It just takes paying attention and then getting involved. If you know of things going on in your county, city or school district that need attention - let me know! I can send out a call to action for that region and see if we can get folks to turn out. But I need YOU all to tell me. I can't know what's going on in Lubbock County, or Cyfiar ISD, or City of Beaumont. So speak up and let's engage the army we've built to take action.
That's all for now!
For Texas always,
Fran Rhodes, President
PS: Don't forget about Constitution Boot Camps happening in September, and the Candidate Recruitment Webinar on Aug 24th. Everything is on the website calendar, so check it out.
True Texas Project works hard to train and engage activists.
Can you help?
We are 100% donation-based.
Click here to donate to our cause.
Tired of getting so many emails? Please be patient!
We put the location in the subject of every event email so that you can easily delete without opening it, but you know what is a better idea? Forward the event to those you know in that area! We send all event emails to all subscribers because so many True Texans do just that... share the invites! We hope you will too, but if not, kindly just delete. No need to send in a complaint or unsubscribe. There truly is a method to our madness as we work hard to build the army across this great big state! Sometimes we send emails only to specific counties. If you want to update what counties are on your profile, please click here.
BONUS TIP: remove the "unsubscribe" line at the bottom of your email before you forward it! Otherwise the recipient may unsubscribe YOU!
This email was sent to [email protected]. Click here to [link removed].
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------=_Part_72508213_977615854.1692360292006
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If you're having trouble viewing this email, you can see it online, [link removed].
Dear Citizen Advocates,
It's been a few weeks since we've done one of these Friday messages. I hope you've been enjoying your summer, but now school has started, it's almost September, the impeachment trial will start soon, and we're likely looking at another special session of the Legislature in October. So time to get to work!
Let's Talk About School Choice
The topic of the 3rd special session is most likely going to be school choice, or education freedom, or money follow the child. Whatever you want to call it, there are many opinions on how it should work. Here at TTP, we find that about half our supporters favor the idea, and the half oppose it. So which ever side of this issue you fall on, get ready for the fight.
But God is in the details! So when you support or oppose the school choice legislation, be sure you know what you're talking about. In other words - choose wisely. (OK, I'm a sucker for movie one liners)
Shortly after the end of the regular session, Speaker Phelan established a new select committee on Educational Opportunities and Enrichment. This committee held hearings in July and just published a report on their findings last week. School choice is one of the topics.
The committee was charged with three objectives:
1: Ensuring all Texas youths enjoy equal educational opportunity and the freedom to obtain a quality education, regardless of circumstance.
2: Improving outcomes for Texas public school students and meaningfully supporting educators and educational institutions.
3: Modernizing assessment and accountability measures for Texas schools educating K-12 students.
In each category, the report lists recommendations for meeting the objective. I read the report, and all the recommendations and, in my opinion, most of them can be boiled down to one sentence - "spend more money". Isn't that the answer to any problem governments face?
Objective #1 - this ensuring all Texas youths enjoy equal educational ....blah, blah, blah, is the one that involves school choice, so let's take a closer look at that one.
First of all, this committee thinks you already enjoy school choice for your children through the availability of specialized schools, STEM Academies, Career and Technical Education, Early College High Schools, etc., as well as the ability to transfer between districts or a different school withing a district.
Is that your idea of "Educational Freedom" - you get to chose which government school your child attends? Oh, you wanted to use your own property tax funds to send your kids to private school, or home school? No - that's not on the table for this committee.
And here's specifically what they had to say on the subject:
"5. If the Legislature chooses to enact a parental choice program, it should clearly outline student eligibility to ensure success and target certain student populations to ensure that each program participant is assessed to make apparent academic outcomes. The program should prioritize high need students. The program should include appropriate safeguards to ensure fiscal responsibility and accountability including, but not limited to, a finite
appropriation to fund the program using General Revenue funds and not funds from Foundation School Program. Ultimately, the program needs to value the best interest of the student, parent and taxpayer, preserving the quality of education."
Key words there - "eligibility", "target certain student populations", "prioritize high need students". And don't forget accountability - "safeguards to ensure fiscal responsibility and accountability." (Accountability = Regulation)
Many of you oppose school choice all together and I respect that for whatever your reasons. My caution here is to the folks who support school choice. Be sure that what you're giving support to is worthy of it. Just because it's called "school choice" doesn't mean that it will deliver YOUR idea of education freedom. God is in the details!
Consider SB8 from the 88th Regular session. It passed the Senate and came close in the House, and LG Patrick refers to it a "universal school choice". But it's far from universal! It limits participation to only students who have been enrolled in public school already, and attended public school at least 90% of the previous school year. So if you're looking for financial help for your child that is home schooled, or in a private school already - they don't qualify. And did you know that this bill not only pays $8,000 to each qualified student who withdraws, but in rural districts, it also pays $10,000 to the district for each student that withdraws. Sounds like bribery to me!
It also creates a new bureaucracy (aka more money out the door) to administer the funds to the ESA accounts, and it has all sorts of strings attached to taking that money. Is that your idea of school choice? It certainly isn't mine.
You can read the entire committee report here and judge for yourself. Whatever position your have on the subject, I urge you to educate yourself on the specifics of whatever is proposed and then choose your support or opposition with the facts in hand. Then get ready to defend your position cause it's coming up soon!
Impeachment Trial of AG Paxton
As mentioned before, we will take a team of activists to the Capitol on Sept 5 for the start of the impeachment trial. We have about 12 already signed up to go. If you would like to join - just reply to this message. I don't have any details yet about the time, but we'll update you as we get information. We'll deliver letters to the Senators' offices, and be in the gallery for the start of the trial.
Remember that our opposition to this impeachment is about the unfair, unconstitutional, and frankly shoddy process that was brought to bear. We believe it is politically motivated and if successful, endangers all other elected officers who are out of favor with House leadership. It must not stand.
Taxpayers Win in Tarrant County
We had some property tax wins in Tarrant County this week thanks to citizen advocates who showed up, as well as thanks to honest elected representatives who keep their campaign promises. We have an advantage in Tarrant, because it's TTP's home county - where we started, so we know the players really well. But the rest of you in other counties can have that kind of success too. It just takes paying attention and then getting involved. If you know of things going on in your county, city or school district that need attention - let me know! I can send out a call to action for that region and see if we can get folks to turn out. But I need YOU all to tell me. I can't know what's going on in Lubbock County, or Cyfiar ISD, or City of Beaumont. So speak up and let's engage the army we've built to take action.
That's all for now!
For Texas always,
Fran Rhodes, President
PS: Don't forget about Constitution Boot Camps happening in September, and the Candidate Recruitment Webinar on Aug 24th. Everything is on the website calendar, so check it out.
True Texas Project works hard to train and engage activists.
Can you help?
We are 100% donation-based.
Click here to donate to our cause.
Tired of getting so many emails? Please be patient!
We put the location in the subject of every event email so that you can easily delete without opening it, but you know what is a better idea? Forward the event to those you know in that area! We send all event emails to all subscribers because so many True Texans do just that... share the invites! We hope you will too, but if not, kindly just delete. No need to send in a complaint or unsubscribe. There truly is a method to our madness as we work hard to build the army across this great big state! Sometimes we send emails only to specific counties. If you want to update what counties are on your profile, please click here.
BONUS TIP: remove the "unsubscribe" line at the bottom of your email before you forward it! Otherwise the recipient may unsubscribe YOU!
This email was sent to [email protected]. Click here to [link removed].
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rd-wrap: break-word; vertical-align: top; color: #3c4144; font-family: aria=
l,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; font-size: 12pt; line=
-height: 1.5; margin: 0 auto; Margin: 0 auto; float: none; text-align: cent=
er; border-collapse: collapse;">=20
<center style=3D"min-width: 540px; width: 100%;">=20
<table class=3D"container" width=3D"600" style=3D"border-spacing: 0;=
border-collapse: collapse; padding: 0; vertical-align: top; background: #f=
efefe; width: 600px; margin: 0 auto; Margin: 0 auto; text-align: inherit; b=
ackground-color: #FFFFFF;">=20
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3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding:=
0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1=
.5; border-collapse: collapse;">=20
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: collapse; vertical-align: top; text-align: left; padding: 0; position: re=
lative; width: 100%; display: table; margin: 0; Margin: 0; font-family: ari=
al,helvetica,sans-serif; min-height: 16px;">=20
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ord-wrap: break-word; vertical-align: top; color: #3c4144; font-family: ari=
al,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; text-align: left; ma=
rgin: 0 auto; Margin: 0 auto; padding-top: 24px; word-break: break-word; wi=
dth: 564px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; font-size: 14px; line-=
height: 2em; border-collapse: collapse; padding-bottom: 10px;">=20
<center style=3D"width: 100%; min-width: 532px;">
If you're having trouble viewing this email, you can <a hre=
f=3D"[link removed]
F4dORn7dh0dUSryyHjnMUuiBYyk=3D/gZvT1Jm6qXGjuhc0JOXIzD6Ssp4OEOV3PfEL4pf1f_4=
=3D" target=3D"_blank" title=3D"View email online" style=3D"color: #0074d9;=
text-decoration: none; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weigh=
t: inherit; padding: 0; text-align: left; line-height: 1.5;">see it online<=
/a>.
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lative; width: 100%; display: table; margin: 0; Margin: 0; font-family: ari=
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<tr style=3D"padding: 0; vertical-align: top; text-align: left=
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ord-wrap: break-word; vertical-align: top; color: #3c4144; font-family: ari=
al,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; text-align: left; font-size: 12p=
t; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0 auto; Margin: 0 auto; padding-top: 24px; pad=
ding-bottom: 24px; word-break: break-word; width: 564px; padding-left: 24px=
; padding-right: 24px; border-collapse: collapse; padding: 0;">=20
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ing: 0; border-collapse: collapse; vertical-align: top; text-align: left; p=
adding: 0; position: relative; width: 100%; display: table; margin: 0; Marg=
in: 0; background-color: #FFFFFF; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"=
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<th class=3D"columns small-12 large-12 first last default" st=
yle=3D"word-wrap: break-word; vertical-align: top; color: #3c4144; font-fam=
ily: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; text-align: =
left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0 auto; Margin: 0 auto; wo=
rd-break: break-word; width: 564px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px=
; border-collapse: collapse; padding-top: 24px; padding-bottom: 12px;"><p s=
tyle=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weigh=
t: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt=
; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"><img style=
=3D"outline: none; text-decoration: none; -ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; =
max-width: 100%; clear: both; display: block; margin: 0 auto; Margin: 0 aut=
o; float: none; text-align: center; width: 750px; height: auto;" src=3D"htt=
ps://truetexasproject.app.neoncrm.com/neon/resource/truetexasproject/images=
/TTP%20Email%20Header(1).png" alt width=3D"750" height=3D"263"></p></th>=20
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<table class=3D"row content-row-blockpadding" style=3D"border-sp=
acing: 0; border-collapse: collapse; vertical-align: top; text-align: left;=
padding: 0; position: relative; width: 100%; display: table; margin: 0; Ma=
rgin: 0; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif=
;">=20
<tbody>
<tr style=3D"padding: 0; vertical-align: top; text-align: left=
;">=20
<th class=3D"columns small-12 large-12 first last default" st=
yle=3D"word-wrap: break-word; vertical-align: top; color: #3c4144; font-fam=
ily: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; text-align: =
left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0 auto; Margin: 0 auto; wo=
rd-break: break-word; width: 564px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px=
; border-collapse: collapse; padding-top: 12px; padding-bottom: 12px;"><p s=
tyle=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weigh=
t: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt=
; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">Dear Citizen=
Advocates,</p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sa=
ns-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: l=
eft; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom:=
10px;">It's been a few weeks since we've done one of these Friday messages=
. I hope you've been enjoying your summer, but now school has started=
, it's almost September, the impeachment trial will start soon, and we're l=
ikely looking at another special session of the Legislature in October.&nbs=
p; So time to get to work!</p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: ari=
al,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0=
; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px;=
Margin-bottom: 10px;"><strong>Let's Talk About School Choice</strong></p> =
<p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-w=
eight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: =
12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">The topi=
c of the 3rd special session is most likely going to be school choice, or e=
ducation freedom, or money follow the child. Whatever you want to cal=
l it, there are many opinions on how it should work. Here at TTP, we =
find that about half our supporters favor the idea, and the half oppose it.=
So which ever side of this issue you fall on, get ready for the figh=
t. </p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-=
serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left=
; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10=
px;">But God is in the details! So when you support or oppose the school ch=
oice legislation, be sure you know what you're talking about. In othe=
r words - choose wisely. (OK, I'm a sucker for movie one liners)</p>=
=20
<figure class style=3D"margin: 0 0 1rem; Margin: 0 0 1rem;">
<!--[if mso]><center><![end-if]-->
<img class=3D"align-center" src=3D"[link removed]
.app.neoncrm.com/neon/resource/truetexasproject/images/Choose%20Wisely.jpg"=
alt=3D"Choose%20Wisely.jpg" width=3D"600" align=3D"middle" style=3D"outlin=
e: none; text-decoration: none; -ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; max-width:=
100%; clear: both; display: block; margin: 0 auto; Margin: 0 auto; float: =
none; text-align: center; height: auto;"><!--[if mso]></center><![end-if]--=
>
</figure> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,hel=
vetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text=
-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margi=
n-bottom: 10px;"> </p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,=
helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; t=
ext-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Ma=
rgin-bottom: 10px;">Shortly after the end of the regular session, Speaker P=
helan established a new select committee on Educational Opportunities and E=
nrichment. This committee held hearings in July and just published a =
report on their findings last week. School choice is one of the topic=
s.</p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;=
font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font=
-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">T=
he committee was charged with three objectives:</p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4=
144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0;=
margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;=
margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">1: Ensuring all Texas youths en=
joy equal educational opportunity and the freedom to obtain a quality educa=
tion, regardless of circumstance.</p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-fami=
ly: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Ma=
rgin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom=
: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">2: Improving outcomes for Texas public school=
students and meaningfully supporting educators and educational institution=
s.</p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;=
font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font=
-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">3=
: Modernizing assessment and accountability measures for Texas schools educ=
ating K-12 students.</p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,hel=
vetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text=
-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margi=
n-bottom: 10px;">In each category, the report lists recommendations for mee=
ting the objective. I read the report, and all the recommendations and, in =
my opinion, most of them can be boiled down to one sentence - "spend more m=
oney". Isn't that the answer to any problem governments face?</p> <p =
style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weig=
ht: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12p=
t; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">Objective #=
1 - this ensuring all Texas youths enjoy equal educational ....blah, blah, =
blah, is the one that involves school choice, so let's take a closer look a=
t that one.</p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sa=
ns-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: l=
eft; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom:=
10px;">First of all, this committee thinks you already enjoy school choice=
for your children through the availability of specialized schools, STEM Ac=
ademies, Career and Technical Education, Early College High Schools, etc., =
as well as the ability to transfer between districts or a different school =
withing a district.</p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helv=
etica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-=
align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin=
-bottom: 10px;">Is that your idea of "Educational Freedom" - you get to cho=
se which government school your child attends? Oh, you wanted to use =
your own property tax funds to send your kids to private school, or home sc=
hool? No - that's not on the table for this committee.</p> <p style=
=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 4=
00; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; li=
ne-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">And here's speci=
fically what they had to say on the subject:</p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144=
; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; ma=
rgin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; ma=
rgin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"><em>"5. If the Legislature chooses=
to enact a parental choice program, it should clearly outline student elig=
ibility to ensure success and target certain student populations to ensure =
that each program participant is assessed to make apparent academic outcome=
s. The program should prioritize high need students. The program should inc=
lude appropriate safeguards to ensure fiscal responsibility and accountabil=
ity including, but not limited to, a finite</em><br><em>appropriation to fu=
nd the program using General Revenue funds and not funds from Foundation Sc=
hool Program. Ultimately, the program needs to value the best interest of t=
he student, parent and taxpayer, preserving the quality of education."</em>=
</p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; f=
ont-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-s=
ize: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">Key=
words there - "eligibility", "target certain student populations", "priori=
tize high need students". And don't forget accountability - "safeguar=
ds to ensure fiscal responsibility and accountability." (Accountabili=
ty =3D Regulation)</p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helve=
tica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-a=
lign: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-=
bottom: 10px;">Many of you oppose school choice all together and I respect =
that for whatever your reasons. My caution here is to the folks who s=
upport school choice. Be sure that what you're giving support to is w=
orthy of it. Just because it's called "school choice" doesn't mean th=
at it will deliver YOUR idea of education freedom. God is in the deta=
ils!</p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-seri=
f; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; fo=
nt-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"=
>Consider SB8 from the 88th Regular session. It passed the Senate and=
came close in the House, and LG Patrick refers to it a "universal school c=
hoice". But it's far from universal! It limits participation to=
only students who have been enrolled in public school already, and attende=
d public school at least 90% of the previous school year. So if you'r=
e looking for financial help for your child that is home schooled, or in a =
private school already - they don't qualify. And did you know that th=
is bill not only pays $8,000 to each qualified student who withdraws, but i=
n rural districts, it also pays $10,000 to the district for each student th=
at withdraws. Sounds like bribery to me! </p> <p style=3D"color:=
#3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; paddin=
g: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height:=
1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">It also creates a new bure=
aucracy (aka more money out the door) to administer the funds to the ESA ac=
counts, and it has all sorts of strings attached to taking that money. =
; Is that your idea of school choice? It certainly isn't mine.</p> <p=
style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-wei=
ght: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12=
pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">You can re=
ad the <a title=3D"entire committee report here." href=3D"[link removed]
mails.com/emails/tracking/click-link/w0zdtXIYkW9BsxC8F4dORn7dh0dUSryyHjnMUu=
iBYyk=3D/gZvT1Jm6qXGjuhc0JOXIzEdirC8DaXC5lmEOXZjJgfM=3D" target=3D"_blank" =
rel=3D"noopener" style=3D"color: #0074d9; text-decoration: none; font-famil=
y: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: inherit; padding: 0; text-align=
: left; line-height: 1.5;">entire committee report here</a> and judge for y=
ourself. Whatever position your have on the subject, I urge you to ed=
ucate yourself on the specifics of whatever is proposed and then choose you=
r support or opposition with the facts in hand. Then get ready to def=
end your position cause it's coming up soon!</p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144=
; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; ma=
rgin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; ma=
rgin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"><strong>Impeachment Trial of AG Pa=
xton</strong></p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,=
sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align:=
left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-botto=
m: 10px;">As mentioned before, we will take a team of activists to the Capi=
tol on Sept 5 for the start of the impeachment trial. We have about 1=
2 already signed up to go. If you would like to join - just reply to =
this message. I don't have any details yet about the time, but we'll =
update you as we get information. We'll deliver letters to the Senato=
rs' offices, and be in the gallery for the start of the trial. </p> <p=
style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-wei=
ght: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12=
pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">Remember t=
hat our opposition to this impeachment is about the unfair, unconstitutiona=
l, and frankly shoddy process that was brought to bear. We believe it=
is politically motivated and if successful, endangers all other elected of=
ficers who are out of favor with House leadership. It must not stand.=
</p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; f=
ont-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-s=
ize: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"><st=
rong>Taxpayers Win in Tarrant County</strong></p> <p style=3D"color: #3c414=
4; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; m=
argin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; m=
argin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">We had some property tax wins in =
Tarrant County this week thanks to citizen advocates who showed up, as well=
as thanks to honest elected representatives who keep their campaign promis=
es. We have an advantage in Tarrant, because it's TTP's home county -=
where we started, so we know the players really well. But the rest o=
f you in other counties can have that kind of success too. It just ta=
kes paying attention and then getting involved. If you know of things=
going on in your county, city or school district that need attention - let=
me know! I can send out a call to action for that region and see if =
we can get folks to turn out. But I need YOU all to tell me. I =
can't know what's going on in Lubbock County, or Cyfiar ISD, or City of Bea=
umont. So speak up and let's engage the army we've built to take acti=
on.</p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif=
; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; fon=
t-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">=
That's all for now! </p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: aria=
l,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0;=
text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; =
Margin-bottom: 10px;">For Texas always,</p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; fon=
t-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin:=
0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-=
bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">Fran Rhodes, President</p> <p style=3D"=
color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; =
padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-h=
eight: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">PS: Don't forg=
et about Constitution Boot Camps happening in September, and the Candidate =
Recruitment Webinar on Aug 24th. Everything is on the <a title=3D"web=
site calendar," href=3D"[link removed]
nk/w0zdtXIYkW9BsxC8F4dORn7dh0dUSryyHjnMUuiBYyk=3D/gZvT1Jm6qXGjuhc0JOXIzFrhr=
WGMBVhc3jpVjWIeo-k=3D" target=3D"_blank" rel=3D"noopener" style=3D"color: #=
0074d9; text-decoration: none; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; fon=
t-weight: inherit; padding: 0; text-align: left; line-height: 1.5;">website=
calendar,</a> so check it out.</p></th>=20
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</table>=20
<table class=3D"row end-row-footer" style=3D"border-spacing: 0; =
border-collapse: collapse; vertical-align: top; text-align: left; padding: =
0; position: relative; width: 100%; display: table; margin: 0; Margin: 0; b=
ackground-color: #ffffff; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">=20
<tbody>
<tr style=3D"padding: 0; vertical-align: top; text-align: left=
;">=20
<th class=3D"columns small-12 large-12 first last default" st=
yle=3D"word-wrap: break-word; vertical-align: top; color: #3c4144; font-fam=
ily: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; text-align: =
left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0 auto; Margin: 0 auto; wo=
rd-break: break-word; width: 564px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px=
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If you're having trouble viewing this email, you can see it online, [link removed].
Dear Citizen Advocates,
It's been a few weeks since we've done one of these Friday messages. I hope you've been enjoying your summer, but now school has started, it's almost September, the impeachment trial will start soon, and we're likely looking at another special session of the Legislature in October. So time to get to work!
Let's Talk About School Choice
The topic of the 3rd special session is most likely going to be school choice, or education freedom, or money follow the child. Whatever you want to call it, there are many opinions on how it should work. Here at TTP, we find that about half our supporters favor the idea, and the half oppose it. So which ever side of this issue you fall on, get ready for the fight.
But God is in the details! So when you support or oppose the school choice legislation, be sure you know what you're talking about. In other words - choose wisely. (OK, I'm a sucker for movie one liners)
Shortly after the end of the regular session, Speaker Phelan established a new select committee on Educational Opportunities and Enrichment. This committee held hearings in July and just published a report on their findings last week. School choice is one of the topics.
The committee was charged with three objectives:
1: Ensuring all Texas youths enjoy equal educational opportunity and the freedom to obtain a quality education, regardless of circumstance.
2: Improving outcomes for Texas public school students and meaningfully supporting educators and educational institutions.
3: Modernizing assessment and accountability measures for Texas schools educating K-12 students.
In each category, the report lists recommendations for meeting the objective. I read the report, and all the recommendations and, in my opinion, most of them can be boiled down to one sentence - "spend more money". Isn't that the answer to any problem governments face?
Objective #1 - this ensuring all Texas youths enjoy equal educational ....blah, blah, blah, is the one that involves school choice, so let's take a closer look at that one.
First of all, this committee thinks you already enjoy school choice for your children through the availability of specialized schools, STEM Academies, Career and Technical Education, Early College High Schools, etc., as well as the ability to transfer between districts or a different school withing a district.
Is that your idea of "Educational Freedom" - you get to chose which government school your child attends? Oh, you wanted to use your own property tax funds to send your kids to private school, or home school? No - that's not on the table for this committee.
And here's specifically what they had to say on the subject:
"5. If the Legislature chooses to enact a parental choice program, it should clearly outline student eligibility to ensure success and target certain student populations to ensure that each program participant is assessed to make apparent academic outcomes. The program should prioritize high need students. The program should include appropriate safeguards to ensure fiscal responsibility and accountability including, but not limited to, a finite
appropriation to fund the program using General Revenue funds and not funds from Foundation School Program. Ultimately, the program needs to value the best interest of the student, parent and taxpayer, preserving the quality of education."
Key words there - "eligibility", "target certain student populations", "prioritize high need students". And don't forget accountability - "safeguards to ensure fiscal responsibility and accountability." (Accountability = Regulation)
Many of you oppose school choice all together and I respect that for whatever your reasons. My caution here is to the folks who support school choice. Be sure that what you're giving support to is worthy of it. Just because it's called "school choice" doesn't mean that it will deliver YOUR idea of education freedom. God is in the details!
Consider SB8 from the 88th Regular session. It passed the Senate and came close in the House, and LG Patrick refers to it a "universal school choice". But it's far from universal! It limits participation to only students who have been enrolled in public school already, and attended public school at least 90% of the previous school year. So if you're looking for financial help for your child that is home schooled, or in a private school already - they don't qualify. And did you know that this bill not only pays $8,000 to each qualified student who withdraws, but in rural districts, it also pays $10,000 to the district for each student that withdraws. Sounds like bribery to me!
It also creates a new bureaucracy (aka more money out the door) to administer the funds to the ESA accounts, and it has all sorts of strings attached to taking that money. Is that your idea of school choice? It certainly isn't mine.
You can read the entire committee report here and judge for yourself. Whatever position your have on the subject, I urge you to educate yourself on the specifics of whatever is proposed and then choose your support or opposition with the facts in hand. Then get ready to defend your position cause it's coming up soon!
Impeachment Trial of AG Paxton
As mentioned before, we will take a team of activists to the Capitol on Sept 5 for the start of the impeachment trial. We have about 12 already signed up to go. If you would like to join - just reply to this message. I don't have any details yet about the time, but we'll update you as we get information. We'll deliver letters to the Senators' offices, and be in the gallery for the start of the trial.
Remember that our opposition to this impeachment is about the unfair, unconstitutional, and frankly shoddy process that was brought to bear. We believe it is politically motivated and if successful, endangers all other elected officers who are out of favor with House leadership. It must not stand.
Taxpayers Win in Tarrant County
We had some property tax wins in Tarrant County this week thanks to citizen advocates who showed up, as well as thanks to honest elected representatives who keep their campaign promises. We have an advantage in Tarrant, because it's TTP's home county - where we started, so we know the players really well. But the rest of you in other counties can have that kind of success too. It just takes paying attention and then getting involved. If you know of things going on in your county, city or school district that need attention - let me know! I can send out a call to action for that region and see if we can get folks to turn out. But I need YOU all to tell me. I can't know what's going on in Lubbock County, or Cyfiar ISD, or City of Beaumont. So speak up and let's engage the army we've built to take action.
That's all for now!
For Texas always,
Fran Rhodes, President
PS: Don't forget about Constitution Boot Camps happening in September, and the Candidate Recruitment Webinar on Aug 24th. Everything is on the website calendar, so check it out.
True Texas Project works hard to train and engage activists.
Can you help?
We are 100% donation-based.
Click here to donate to our cause.
Tired of getting so many emails? Please be patient!
We put the location in the subject of every event email so that you can easily delete without opening it, but you know what is a better idea? Forward the event to those you know in that area! We send all event emails to all subscribers because so many True Texans do just that... share the invites! We hope you will too, but if not, kindly just delete. No need to send in a complaint or unsubscribe. There truly is a method to our madness as we work hard to build the army across this great big state! Sometimes we send emails only to specific counties. If you want to update what counties are on your profile, please click here.
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