Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

SARose

(250 posts)
Thu Apr 18, 2024, 06:10 AM Apr 18

Why does Texas want to kill guaranteed income, but fund school vouchers?

Earlier this month, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued to quash Harris County’s guaranteed income program, arguing the Texas Constitution prohibits counties or cities from “granting public money or thing of value in aid of or to any individual.”

Snip

Paxton’s lawsuit to axe Uplift Harris, which he describes as a “welfare scheme” and "socialist experiment," comes while Texas pushes for a controversial education savings account program, also known as school vouchers. These accounts use taxpayer money to help parents pay for their children's private school tuition.

So, what's the difference between these two publicly funded state programs?

According to Southern Methodist University political science professor Calvin Jillson, Paxton’s lawsuit is “clearly political."

“If it’s mostly a lottery, it's probably more difficult to defend,” Jillson told Chron. “There are all kinds of programs in which public money goes towards private individuals, and the question is whether or not those programs are structured to provide judicial scrutiny. And sometimes programs are, and other times they're struck down.”

Snip

More

I’m just gonna leave this here. If I comment, I will say not very nice things.

You little weasel.🤬

8 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Why does Texas want to kill guaranteed income, but fund school vouchers? (Original Post) SARose Apr 18 OP
To direct state funds to religious institutions. RandySF Apr 18 #1
Also BigMin28 Apr 18 #2
Racism and bigotry SARose Apr 18 #4
Ding ding ding SARose Apr 18 #3
Because they assume that most school voucher money tanyev Apr 18 #5
Abbott and Patrick want to kill public education LetMyPeopleVote Apr 18 #6
I wonder if they want public money to fund lower education stndards? NowsTheTime Apr 21 #8
Harris County guaranteed income program gets OK from Texas judge SARose Apr 18 #7

BigMin28

(1,178 posts)
2. Also
Thu Apr 18, 2024, 06:45 AM
Apr 18

To gut public education. Rural Texas has very, very few private schools. But Abbott, Patrick, and Paxton are doing the bidding of their billionaire donors Tim Dunn and the Wilks brothers.

SARose

(250 posts)
4. Racism and bigotry
Thu Apr 18, 2024, 08:21 AM
Apr 18

We cain’t have our younguns goin ta school with THOSE people. 🙄

I work harrrrddddd for my money. Why do THEY get a free breakfast/lunch?

Nobody ever helped ME!

Why should we forgive student debts. Nobody ever did that for me.

This last one gets me everytime. Uhhh, yes someone did pay a debt for you!

Who?

Go to Sunday school and find out!

Moron.

Welcome to racist Crazy Town.

tanyev

(42,596 posts)
5. Because they assume that most school voucher money
Thu Apr 18, 2024, 08:43 AM
Apr 18

would go to white Republican voters and most guaranteed income money would go to non-white Democratic voters.

NowsTheTime

(697 posts)
8. I wonder if they want public money to fund lower education stndards?
Sun Apr 21, 2024, 06:11 AM
Apr 21
https://oese.ed.gov/texas-state-regulations/

A well educated electorate IMO doesn't seem to be a big priority for Republicans.

SARose

(250 posts)
7. Harris County guaranteed income program gets OK from Texas judge
Thu Apr 18, 2024, 10:26 PM
Apr 18

A Texas judge ruled against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's lawsuit to stop the pilot guaranteed income program, effectively allowing it to resume.

The ruling comes after Paxton's office sued Harris County last week, arguing that the program, which gives low-income residents $500 a month, violates the Texas Constitution's provisions on the disbursements of public funds.

In a statement Thursday afternoon, Judge Lina Hidalgo called the court's decision a victory, even though she expects the state to appeal. She also emphasized a previous request for Paxton to visit Harris County in person and meet with the families who would receive the financial assistance.

Snip

More

More performance politics or revenge take your pick.

Latest Discussions»Region Forums»Texas»Why does Texas want to ki...