The Texas Legislature now stands on the cusp of passing school voucher legislation, thanks to the results of primary runoffs held statewide May 28. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, a staunch supporter of private school vouchers funded with taxpayer money, declared…
Texas governor mounts full-court press for school vouchers, co-opts pastors as advocates from pulpit
Legislation introduced in the Texas Senate Oct. 9 would create a school voucher program that includes $8,000 a year to families who want a private education for their children. Senate Bill 1, which is being considered in an ongoing special…
Public funding for private Christian schools gains ground in some states but faces setbacks in Oklahoma and Texas and in U.S. House
The quest to direct public funds to sectarian schools is meeting with mixed results this legislative season, with what would have been the nation’s first religious charter school being denied in Oklahoma, a deeply religious and conservative state. While Florida…
Pastors gear up to battle bequest of vouchers for children in private schools
As the governor and top lawmakers in Texas make a fresh push to divert public education money to private schools, a group of faith leaders is advocating against the move, based on their religious beliefs. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who…
In reelection year, Texas governor proposes statewide voucher program for private schools
All 5 million schoolchildren in Texas should be eligible to attend private or charter schools using government funds, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced May 9. Abbott’s public advocacy for a plan even his conservative allies have opposed drew an immediate…
Texas Baptist Congressman attacks public school advocacy group on Twitter
A Southern Baptist Congressman from Texas has taken to Twitter to attack a group of Texas pastors advocating for public education. Chip Roy, who represents Texas’ 21st Congressional district, is a member of Hyde Park Baptist Church in Austin. Hyde…
Retiring CBF head Suzii Paynter takes job with Pastors for Texas Children
Pastors for Texas Children, a non-profit organization that advocates for public schools, announced Jan. 7 that Paynter has joined the staff as a ministry co-director.
Baptists among faith leaders to watch in 2017
Baptists rank high in a dozen faith leaders to watch in 2017 identified by the Center for American Progress, a progressive public policy research and advocacy organization founded in 2003 as an alternative to conservative think tanks such as the…
Pastor terms ESAs ‘violation’ of religious liberty
A Texas Baptist pastor has urged state lawmakers to reject the latest proposal to use taxpayer dollars to help parents send their kids to private or parochial schools or educate them at home. Charles Foster Johnson, executive director of Pastors…