OPINION
Out-of-state funding fuels voucher push
By Randy Willis, Executive Director,
Texas Association of Rural Schools
Mar 2, 2024 CST
In a significant push for private school vouchers in Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott and his supporters are deploying extensive resources, including substantial financial investments from both local and out-of-state billionaires, to sway the outcome of the upcoming March 5 Republican primary. This campaign aims to unseat conservative lawmakers, particularly those from rural areas who are staunch supporters of public education, in favor of candidates who advocate for redirecting billions in taxpayer dollars towards private and religious schooling.
As the Executive Director of the Texas Association of Rural Schools, I've witnessed unprecedented efforts that raise serious concerns about the integrity of this push.
Notably, the multimillion-dollar expenditure to challenge incumbents who have historically supported the Republican conservative agenda is alarming. The campaign has also seen the spread of misinformation, including baseless accusations against conservative Republican State Rep. Glenn Rogers and State Rep. Drew Darby of San Angelo, and several other Republican candidates across the state, painting them falsely as opponents of key Republican values.
The American Federation for Children (AFC) Victory Fund, significantly funded by Betsy DeVos, a well-known proponent of school vouchers, is a major player in disseminating this misinformation. The revelation that the campaign against vouchers was being orchestrated from afar prompted a swift, albeit superficial, change in strategy, with the organization claiming a base in Dallas instead of its actual location in Virginia.
According to reporting by the Texas Tribune, Abbott accepted a $6 million donation from an out-of-state voucher advocate to target sitting House Republicans. That is a move that veers away from the principles of statesmanship and raises questions about external influences on Texas elections. As Texans, we should be outraged that billionaires from outside our state are trying to influence elections with the end goal of passing something that our state lawmakers have repeatedly rejected for years. If this were Russia trying to influence our national elections, we would all be enraged.
The upcoming primary will have a major impact on public education in Texas. It's a call to action for the community—teachers, parents, grandparents, alumni, and all who value public education—to vote and shape the direction of policy in the state. With Texas holding a record state surplus, the focus should be on supporting public schools, increasing funding for school safety, and much needed raises for teachers. Whereas a new entitlement program that subsidizes private and religious schools for the benefits of wealthy parents across our state does not support any conservative value and seems unconscionable.
The emphasis on private school vouchers by the governor during the last legislative session has placed public schools at a crossroads, making the March 5 primary crucial for the state's educational and economic future. Given that 90% of Texas children attend public schools, the outcome of this primary will have a lasting impact on the state's workforce and its overall prosperity.
I urge all Texans to exercise their right to vote in the upcoming primary, choosing the path that supports public education and ensures a bright future for all children in the state. It is imperative that we stand together for the principles of truth, honesty, fairness, and support the candidates who value our public education system which is the heart of our communities and backbone of our state.
Respectfully,
Randy Willis,
Executive Director,
Texas Association of Rural Schools

Educators can make a difference - Get the vote out - call out message: As you know, Tuesday, March 5, is Primary Election Day in Texas. Most of the Texas Legislature is determined during this election-- not the general election in November. Our state lawmakers are the ones who make decisions about school funding, which includes teacher and staff salaries. If you haven't voted, please make sure to do so on Tuesday. Thank you.
Additional voucher articles (out of state)
- Tax cuts, voucher demand mean Arizona faces $400M deficit (tucson.com)
- Arkansas LEARNS report: 95% of voucher students did not attend public school last year - Arkansas Times (arktimes.com)
- Republicans want to loot public schools for private vouchers (usatoday.com)
- Tennessee school vouchers: Rural children lose out in expansion plans (tennessean.com)