CHAIR’S MEMORANDUM: Official Texas Democratic Party Position on Republican Voucher Legislation

TO: Texas Democratic County Party Chairs, Texas Democratic Precinct Chairs, Texas SDEC/DNC Members, and Interested Parties

FROM: Gilberto Hinojosa, Chairman, Texas Democratic Party

DATE: September 1, 2023

RE: Official Texas Democratic Party Position on Republican Voucher Legislation

Fellow Texas Democrat, 

I wanted to send you an important update about recent, official action taken by the State Democratic Executive Committee, the elected governing body of the Texas Democratic Party. 

On August 26, during the State Democratic Executive Committee’s third quarterly meeting, the State Democratic Executive Committee addressed the looming existential threat of Greg Abbott’s private school voucher scheme by adopting a formal position of opposition to any private school voucher bill proposed during this upcoming special legislative session. 

The Texas Democratic Party Platform, adopted during last year’s convention process, is unequivocal in its opposition to private school vouchers because voucher systems defund public schools, teachers, and students. Our platform has been firmly anti-voucher for as long as I’ve been Chairman. While Texas Republicans have controlled the legislature, they have cut billions from public schools and have perpetually underfunded urban and rural districts alike. Now, Abbott proposes massive cuts to public schools even more so corporate schools can boost their profit margins. 

Greg Abbott and his highly-paid political consultants, bankrolled by the powerful lobbyists that fund the anti-public school movement, are working overtime to divide us as a Party, and peel off Democratic members of the Texas Legislature. 

By taking this formal action, we are issuing an absolute rebuke to this proposed redistribution of wealth from working class Texas families to the big dollar donors that fuel the political campaigns of Republican extremists like Greg Abbott, Dan Patrick, and Ted Cruz. By saying no to vouchers, we stand with the talented and dedicated professionals that run our schools and mold minds to ensure future generations of Texans are equipped to lead our state. 

By saying no to vouchers, we stand up for Texas’ children, including our most disadvantaged young Texans. By fighting against Abbott’s voucher scheme, we demonstrate our commitment to improving the lives of Texas’ most vulnerable children. Every dollar stolen from a public school enriches the wealthy few that own interest in private schools. 

I want to be crystal clear - it’s up to us to fight this dangerous legislation, and to hold elected officials accountable should they vote against kids and teachers, and for Greg Abbott’s cronies. Over the course of the coming weeks, the Texas Democratic Party will be partnering with our sisters and brothers in labor to host town hall events in several counties across Texas to spread the news about the danger of private school vouchers. 

We believe it is the duty of Texas Democratic legislators to represent their constituents to the best of their ability, including the Texans that can’t afford to travel to Austin to lobby their legislators. We believe Texas Democratic legislators should fulfill their commitments to their constituents and voters. We believe Texas Democratic legislators should follow their Party’s platform, and not only publicly condemn this effort to defund public schools, but vote against it.

Adelante, 

Gilberto Hinojosa

Chair, Texas Democratic Party