Dear ~~first_name~~,
As expected, SB 1, which establishes an education savings accounts program, and SB 2, which relates to allotments for public school funding initiatives, passed the Senate last week. SB 1 has been referred to the Educational Opportunity and Enrichment Special Committee. No hearing has been scheduled as of now.
LWV Texas is opposed to SB 1 and the establishment of an education savings account program. See our action alert below, and tell your legislators to keep public funds in public schools.
The Senate has also passed two immigration bills. SB 4 and SB 11. Of the two, SB 11 is the most concerning. It creates a new offense of improper entry from a foreign nation. On the first offense, it is a misdemeanor, but it allow migrants to be detained by law enforcement. The two immigration bills have been heard in the House State Affairs Committee.
We are opposed to both SB 4 and SB 11. We encourage Governor Abbott to immediately end Operation Lone Star and work to support US immigration policies, procedures, and laws. All citizens, residents, migrants, and asylum seekers must be treated equally in the eyes of the law and be treated with dignity and respect.
In League,
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The League of Women Voters of Texas continues to work tirelessly to advocate for all Texans this legislative session. Donate today to support our mission of empowering voters and defending democracy!
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Public Funds Should Stay in Public Schools!
In the third special session of the 88th legislature, SB 1 would create taxpayer-funded educational savings accounts to subsidize private schools. Use our Action Center to write a letter to your legislators and ask them to oppose vouchers.
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Educational Savings Accounts SB 1 Advocacy Toolkit
In the third special session of the Texas 88th legislature, SB 1 would create taxpayer-funded educational savings accounts to subsidize private schools. Numerous independent studies show they do not produce greater academic gains than public schools and do not provide a way out of poverty for poor students. The vast majority of our students (more than 90%) still need high-quality, fully funded public schools.
The LWVTX Advocacy Committee and volunteers put together a toolkit for community partners to use during this third special sessions to talk about and advocate against SB 1 (Educational Savings Accounts). View the toolkit here.
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LWVTX Statement on Immigration
We encourage Governor Abbott to immediately end Operation Lone Star and work to support US immigration policies, procedures, and laws. All citizens, residents, migrants, and asylum seekers must be treated equally in the eyes of the law and be treated with dignity and respect.
Read the full statement here.
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Petteway v Galveston County Decision
A judge in the Southern District Federal Court has ruled that Galveston County violated the Voting Rights Act when drawing districts for its commissioners court in 2021. The League of Women Voters was not a plaintiff in the lawsuit, but League members in Galveston attended the hearings closely watching the evidence. The 2021 county map eliminated the sole minority/majority commission district.
The League wants to congratulate everyone that was involved in this momentous court case. This win demonstrates how powerful our voices can be when we work together. Thank you to the NAACP Texas State Conference, Southern Coalition for Social Justice, LULAC Texas, Texas Civil Rights Project, and Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP for ensuring that communities of color in Galveston County will continue to have a voice on their commissioners court.
Read more here.
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League of Women Voters of Texas
1212 Guadalupe St. #107
Austin Texas, 78701
(512) 472-1100
lwvtexas@lwvtexas.org
lwvtexas.org
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