Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton warns three school districts to cease "unlawful electioneering"

[TexasTowelie]

by Emma Platoff, Texas Tribune


Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on Wednesday issued cease and desist letters to three Texas school districts he says are conducting "unlawful electioneering," adding one more chapter to an ongoing fight over how involved public education organizations can get in this year’s primary and general elections.

Paxton, a Republican, warned the Brazosport, Holliday and Lewisville districts that they are violating state law by using taxpayer money to distribute messages advocating for specific candidates and policies to their staffs.

“These school districts must understand that they are responsible, as all state agencies are, for refraining from spending public funds on advocating for or opposing political candidates,” Paxton said in a statement Wednesday. “The electioneering of these school districts is unacceptable and a poor example of the civic responsibility, integrity, and honesty that Texas educators should model for our students.”

Paxton’s letters emphasize that while school districts may promote civic engagement and register students to vote, they are not permitted to “use state or local funds or other resources to electioneer for or against any candidate, measure or political party.”

Read more: https://www.texastribune.org/2018/02/14/texas-attorney-general-paxton-warns-three-school-districts-cease-and-d/

[LeftInTX]

1. Sen Jose Menendez responded to Ken Paxton