1. United States
2. Texas
3. Letter

The Texas Legislature should reject proposals for school vouchers and instead focus on investing in public schools that serve all students. Vouchers divert taxpayer funds away from public education without providing the same accountability and transparency measures that public schools adhere to. They also pose risks to state budgets, as seen in Arizona where a voucher program estimated at $65 million ended up costing over $700 million. Furthermore, vouchers put students from disadvantaged backgrounds and those with special needs at risk. Private schools are not obligated to accept all students or follow federal laws like the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) that protect students' rights. Vouchers have also been shown to negatively impact funding for public schools in other states like Florida. Instead of pursuing risky voucher schemes, the legislature should prioritize strengthening Texas public schools by increasing investments. This will ensure all 5.5 million Texas students, including those in rural areas, have access to high-quality education in their neighborhood public schools. Focusing on our public education system is crucial for developing the future workforce and economic drivers of our state.