1. United States
2. Texas
3. Letter

Texas public education is facing a crisis, and I urge you to treat this moment with the urgency it deserves. School districts across Texas are being pushed toward budget deficits, program cuts, and potential school closures because of decisions made at the state level that have placed new mandates on public schools while reducing their financial flexibility. The consequences of the school voucher program are becoming increasingly clear. Many of the highest-performing and most affluent school districts are experiencing some of the largest enrollment losses, as families who were already capable of paying private school tuition are using taxpayer-funded vouchers as a discount on costs they were already prepared to cover. This drains resources from the public schools that serve the vast majority of Texas students while failing to address the needs of students who truly require additional educational opportunities. At the same time, public schools are being asked to absorb rising costs, comply with new mandates, provide teacher raises, improve campus safety, and maintain essential programs while receiving fewer resources and less local flexibility. Fine arts, career programs, classroom support, transportation, and other services that make Texas schools strong are now at risk. This is not a sustainable path. A strong public education system is the foundation of Texas' economy, workforce, and communities. Undermining it threatens our state's long-term competitiveness. I urge you to take immediate action to: • Fully fund public education and restore flexibility for local school districts. • Reevaluate policies that divert public dollars away from neighborhood public schools without meaningful accountability. • Ensure teacher raises and state mandates come with adequate funding rather than forcing districts to cut other essential programs. • Protect fine arts, career and technical education, student support services, and the programs that help Texas students succeed. Texas has the resources and the responsibility to provide excellent public schools. The current approach is creating unnecessary instability and forcing communities to make impossible choices. Please make protecting and strengthening public education a top priority in the next legislative session. The future of Texas depends on it.