1. United States
2. Texas
3. Letter

Public education should remain entirely secular and free from religious influence, as enshrined in the separation of church and state. Funneling taxpayer dollars to private religious schools via voucher programs violates this foundational principle and imposes beliefs onto a captive audience of children. Public funds must go towards improving neighborhood public schools that serve all students equitably without regards to faith. Maintaining a robust secular public education system accessible to all, uncompromised by religious agendas, is vital for upholding democratic values and developing an educated citizenry. I implore you to reject voucher schemes that undermine this vital societal institution in favor of unaccountable private and parochial alternatives.