Texas House passes school choice bill, priming pump for a national option: 'Texas government school monopoly has fallen'



After trying over the course of decades to surmount obstacles laid before them by Democrats and opponents in their own party, Texas Republicans proved successful Thursday in passing universal school choice legislation in a 86-63 vote.

The passage of Texas Senate Bill 2 — which came despite the opposition of nominal Republican state Reps. Dade Phelan and Gary VanDeaver, and after 11 hours of debate — is a major victory for parents statewide, as well as for Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, who indicated earlier this year that school choice was his top priority for the 89th Legislature. It may also help set the stage for a similar victory at the national level.

"Today, the Texas House took the final step to advance Senate Bill 2, the largest day-one school choice launch in the nation," Abbott, who intends to ratify the legislation after its likely adoption by the Senate, said in a statement. "This is an unprecedented victory for families, students, and the future of our great state."

According to the Texas Tribune, this is the first time since 1957 that the Texas House has approved legislation permitting state funds to be made available for families to use on their kids' private education.

Lieutenant Gov. Dan Patrick noted that in both his current capacity and while serving as president of the state Senate, he has observed the Texas Senate pass school choice six times: "The first five bills died in the Texas House, but we never quit."

'I'm almost getting tired of winning.'

Patrick lauded the persistence of his colleagues and gave a nod to the last-minute boost provided by President Donald Trump, who reportedly told state lawmakers on a conference Wednesday, "This is a big vote today," and that he hoped they would "vote in a positive manner."

Corey DeAngelis, a senior fellow at the American Culture Project and a visiting fellow at the American Institute for Economic Research, told Blaze News that while Texas "wasn't the first to the party" — 15 other states have passed universal school choice in the past four years — this "is the biggest day-one school choice victory in U.S. history."

"The Texas win is a big deal," said DeAngelis. "With Texas joining the club, about 40% of America's school-age population now lives in states that have passed universal school choice policies. The number is up from 0% in 2021. The momentum for education freedom is almost unbelievable."

DeAngelis joked, "We're winning so much, I'm almost getting tired of winning."

The aim of Senate Bill 2, filed by state Sen. Brandon Creighton, is twofold: first, to "provide additional educational options to assist families in this state in exercising the right to direct the educational needs of their children"; and second, to "achieve a general diffusion of knowledge."

If ultimately enacted, the bill would direct $1 billion in state funds to create education savings accounts — vouchers that families in the Lone Star State could use to pay for private school tuition and school-related expenses.

Qualifying students under the program who attend a private school would receive $10,000 annually; disabled students would receive up to $30,000 annually; and homeschooled students would receive $2,000.

The Tribune noted that the legislation tethers the voucher program's per-student dollars to public education funding so that increases or decreases in public school funding would be reflected in the amounts received by students participating in the program.

While this marks a decisive battle won for school choice, DeAngelis told Blaze News, "The fight isn't over."

"I expect more than 100,000 students will want to use the school choice program in Texas. Once that demand is shown, the Texas Legislature will need to go back and get rid of the cap on the number of scholarships like they did in states like Arizona and Florida once demand was illustrated," said the school choice advocate. "I have confidence Texas Republicans will listen to that demand from parents."

'We will look back on this day as one of the darkest in Texas history.'

In the meantime, should demand outstrip supply where the program is concerned, poor families and Texas students with disabilities will receive priority.

Despite their support for choice on other matters, state Democrats — particularly those who have cozied up with public teachers' unions — are enraged over the promise of an affordable option when it comes to Texas kids' education.

"This bill is everything that is wrong with politics. It's the interest of big money over everyday Texans," said state Rep. Gina Hinojosa, a Democrat endorsed by the Texas State Teachers Association and the Texas American Federation of Teachers.

Democratic state Rep. John Bucy III, who was also endorsed by the Texas AFT, said, "The history books will remember who gutted public education. We will look back on this day as one of the darkest in Texas history."

State Rep. Alma Allen (D), a former public school administrator, suggested the "harmful voucher scam" would somehow send the state backward.

Lt. Gov. Patrick recommended the Texas Senate concur with Senate Bill 2 Friday afternoon, and Gov. Abbott reiterated he was "ready to sign this bill into law."

Sen. Brandon Creighton noted, "Parents, lawmakers, and education advocates across Texas are finally seeing real momentum to deliver education freedom."

The success in Texas might have national implications.

"The Texas government school monopoly has fallen. More dominoes are likely to fall with Texas leading the way. The dam is breaking, and there's nothing Randi Weingarten and the teachers' unions can do about it," said DeAngelis. "This school choice momentum is sure to fuel the battle for nationwide school choice. President Trump campaigned on the issue and ultimately won the parent vote by 9 points. That's a national mandate for education freedom."

'It's time to get nationwide school choice across the finish line.'

Earlier this year, Republican Reps. Adrian Smith (Neb.) and Burgess Owens (Utah) and Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) introduced legislation that would amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide a charitable donation incentive for individuals and businesses to bankroll scholarship awards for students to cover expenses related to K-12 public and private education.

"The Educational Choice for Children Act is a top priority for the 119th Congress because it puts power where it belongs — in the hands of families, not bureaucracies," Owens said in a statement. "The days of tolerating a one-size-fits-all system that traps students in mediocrity are over."

The scholarships under the proposed legislation would be dealt out to students as a voucher. Most families would be eligible so long as their household incomes are not 300% greater than their region's median income.

The New York Times noted that the national bill could be included in a budget reconciliation bill this summer. Accordingly, Republicans would need only 51 votes in the U.S. Senate to seal the deal.

"The Educational Choice for Children Act passed out of the House Ways and Means committee last year, and it is already co-sponsored by most Republicans in Congress," noted DeAngelis. "President Trump said he would sign it, and the legislation is supported by Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune. It's time to get nationwide school choice across the finish line."

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Trump to slam border shut with vast buoy wall, tightening grip on illegal crossing chaos



President Donald Trump's administration is gearing up to clamp down further on illegal crossings from Mexico by installing floating buoy barriers in the Rio Grande.

The Washington Examiner reported Wednesday that the Trump administration plans to place a 17-mile-long buoy wall in the Rio Grande Valley in Texas.

'Gov. Abbott deployed them soon after and proved that they were very effective.'

Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R), under former President Joe Biden in 2023, installed the state's own buoy barriers to curb the nation's illegal immigration crisis, particularly in the highly trafficked Eagle Pass area. The interconnected inflatable sphere buoys were four feet wide and acted as a floating fence that, when grabbed, would spin to prevent illegal aliens from being able to climb over.

It was the first time such a deterrent had been deployed along the U.S.-Mexico border, and the move faced legal challenges from the Biden administration's Department of Justice. The lawsuit claimed that Texas violated federal law by failing to obtain authorization to install the barrier. It also argued that the buoys created both environmental and safety concerns.

Trump's DOJ is expected to drop the case against Texas over its buoy wall.

According to the Washington Examiner, the first Trump administration's Border Patrol initially developed the idea of installing floating barriers. However, it never did so due to the administration change.

After former Border Patrol agent Mike Banks was hired as Texas' border czar, the state rolled out the plan independently. Banks is now the national Border Patrol chief.

The Washington Examiner reported that Texas wants to gift its 1,000-foot barrier to the Trump administration.

Selene Rodriguez with the Texas Public Policy Foundation told the news outlet that the state's implementation of the buoy wall proved effective at deterring illegal crossings.

"Left to fend for ourselves, Texas found innovative solutions to secure our border and support our law enforcement," Rodriguez stated. "The buoy barrier was a necessary measure that proved further action can be taken, and we are happy to see that measure now taken by the Trump administration."

Border czar Tom Homan told the Washington Examiner that the floating wall is "a great border barrier concept."

"[Border Patrol] was studying their use at the end of Trump 45 and thought they were an excellent method to secure the border and save lives," Homan said. "They were not deployed because the administration changed hands. Gov. Abbott deployed them soon after and proved that they were very effective. Border barriers such as walls and buoys work. The data proves it."

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Planned Muslim city in Texas could discriminate against Christians and Jews, Sen. Cornyn says



Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) asked the Department of Justice to open an investigation into East Plano Islamic Center's plans to open a Muslim-centric city near Josephine, Texas.

A Sunday press release from Cornyn's office announced that he sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi requesting that the DOJ investigate EPIC's plans over concerns that the community would ban non-Muslim residents.

'The consistent attacks and unwarranted investigations speak volumes about the state of politics and have little to do with our project, or our vision.'

The press release noted that EPIC is already facing several investigations by Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) after it was accused of "risking religious discrimination of Christians, Jews, and other non-Muslim minorities."

He stated, "A master-planned 'community of thousands of Muslims' could violate the constitutional rights of Jewish and Christian Texans, by preventing them from living in this new community and discriminating against them within the community. I further encourage the Department to investigate whether Christians, Jews, and other non-Muslim minorities would receive equal protection under the law in this new community."

"Religious discrimination, whether explicit or implicit, is unconstitutional under the First and Fourteenth Amendments. Religious freedom is a cornerstone of our nation's values, and I am concerned this community potentially undermines this vital protection," Cornyn continued. "Religious-based discrimination is a constitutional violation as well as a federal rights violation."

He added that EPIC may also need to be investigated for potentially enforcing Sharia law, which Abbott is already probing at the state level.

What's the background?

EPIC is planning to build a 402-acre Muslim-centric community roughly 40 miles outside of Dallas. The development would reportedly feature a mosque, a K-12 faith-based school, an outreach center, commercial developments, sports facilities, and 1,000 homes — including senior living spaces.

Abbott began expressing concern about the proposed development earlier this year, stating that "Sharia cities" are "not allowed in Texas."

In early April, Abbott declared that EPIC "may not begin construction" on its project over a failure to obtain required "authorizations or permits."

The Texas Rangers, the Texas State Securities Board, the Texas Workforce Commission, and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton have opened investigations into EPIC at Abbott's request.

Last week, Paxton told Blaze Media co-founder Glenn Beck that he discovered that the attorney representing EPIC City's developers is Dan Cogdell, the same lawyer who previously defended Paxton against impeachment.

Paxton called it "a little concerning" that he was not made aware sooner, noting that "there definitely could be an argument that there's conflict because I'm still being represented by him and he's representing clients that we are investigating."

Meanwhile, Community Capital Partners, the city's developer, has denied that the planned community would violate any laws or enforce Sharia law.

Cogdell has claimed that the proposed development has become "the victim of racial profiling."

"No one associated with EPIC, no one associated with that community follows Sharia law or is in favor of Sharia law," he previously told KTVT.

He accused Abbott of spreading "lies, false information, and nonsense."

Community Capital Partners told the Dallas Morning News, "The consistent attacks and unwarranted investigations speak volumes about the state of politics and have little to do with our project, or our vision."

"We look forward to correcting the misinformation about EPIC City, and we will continue to work to create a diverse, safe and inclusive community — one in which everyone is welcome and people of every background, faith, and culture can live together in harmony," it added.

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Islamic city planned for Texas hires ex-Paxton attorney to defuse Sharia law concerns



Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) in late March directed the Texas Rangers, the Texas State Securities Board, and the Texas Workforce Commission to launch investigations into the East Plano Islamic Center concerning its plans to develop a Muslim-centric city on 402 acres near Josephine, roughly 40 miles outside Dallas.

The development would reportedly feature a mosque, a K-12 faith-based school, an outreach center, commercial developments, sports facilities, and 1,000 homes, townhomes, and apartments.

'There definitely could be an argument that there's conflict because I'm still being represented by him and he's representing clients that we are investigating.'

The proposed city has ignited fears within the surrounding community that it will implement Sharia law and potentially ultimately lead to a "no-go zone."

State investigations

Abbott has repeatedly expressed concerns about the planned community.

In February, Abbott stated in a post on social media, "To be clear, Sharia law is not allowed in Texas. Nor are Sharia cities. Nor are 'no go zones' which this project seems to imply."

"Bottom line. The project as proposed in the video is not allowed in Texas," the governor concluded, referring to EPIC's promotional clip advertising the plans.

The Texas Funeral Service Commission sent a cease-and-desist letter to EPIC in March, demanding that it "immediately stop all illegal funeral service operations."

According to Abbott, EPIC had been operating a funeral home without an established license in violation of state law.

Abbott announced on April 1 that EPIC "may not begin construction" on its community, stating that the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality discovered it had failed to obtain required "authorizations or permits."

The governor insisted that EPIC City "has serious legal issues" and announced that a dozen state agencies are looking into the proposed community.

The governor tasked the Texas Rangers with investigating EPIC "for potential criminal activities." The Texas Workforce Commission is probing "potential discrimination in violation of the Texas Fair Housing Act." The Texas State Securities Board is looking into any "potential financial harm to Texans." Additionally, state Attorney General Ken Paxton is examining "potential violations of Texas consumer protection laws."

"Texas vigorously safeguards the freedoms granted to American citizens in the U.S. Constitution, including the freedom of religion," Abbott said. "To that end, the Texas Workforce Commission opened an investigation into the group behind the proposed EPIC compound who are potentially breaking state fair housing laws by refusing to sell or rent housing to certain groups based on religion or other protected traits."

Texans share concerns

The RAIR Foundation USA was among the first to begin sounding the alarm about EPIC and its proposed city.

Amy Mek, the founder and editor in chief of the RAIR Foundation, warned that the project is not just "a housing development."

"It's the expansion of a Sharia-controlled society, starting with the radical school already operating at the EPIC Mosque in Plano, Texas," Mek wrote. "Now, EPIC is scaling up — EPIC City will operate with no city oversight, no state-controlled curriculum, and no accountability to American laws."

'No one associated with EPIC … follows Sharia law or is in favor of Sharia law.'

Many residents in Blue Ridge, a city roughly 20 miles away from Josephine, voiced their concerns about the proposed development during a recent city council meeting.

Douglas Deaton, a former police lieutenant in Plano, stated that a Sharia law enclave existed in Texas long before EPIC proposed its city plans.

"There seems to be a general misunderstanding that we're talking about a plan to build an Islamic, Sharia-friendly community. The EPIC neighborhood already exists in Plano. It's been there for nearly 12 years. With 74 residential properties, a massive mosque, schools, a medical clinic, and multiple businesses," he told the city council. "You have to be a member of their mosque to live there."

"This is not a matter of radicals hiding in plain sight; they're not hiding. They've been open about their beliefs and their intent," Deaton added.

On Wednesday, Paxton spoke with Blaze Media co-founder Glenn Beck about the governor's actions against EPIC, revealing interesting new details about the controversy.

"We're not going to sacrifice [our constitution] for Sharia law. It's just not going to happen in Texas," Paxton told Beck. "At the same time, we want to be cognizant that people have a right to have their own religion, and we respect that."

Paxton explained that the community cannot discriminate against potential residents based on religion, noting that doing so would violate housing laws.

He stated that he recently learned that the attorney representing EPIC City's developers, Dan Cogdell, is the same lawyer who previously defended him against impeachment. Paxton was acquitted of all charges in 2023.

The AG called it "a little concerning" that he was not made aware of that fact sooner.

"There definitely could be an argument that there's conflict because I'm still being represented by him and he's representing clients that we are investigating," Paxton told Beck.

EPIC responds

EPIC has denied claims that its proposed community will disregard state and federal laws to implement Sharia law.

Cogdell accused Abbott of spreading lies about the planned city, claiming that the project is "the victim of racial profiling."

"These aren't foreign adversaries. These are Texans. These are Americans. These are United States citizens," Cogdell told KTVT last week. "No one associated with EPIC, no one associated with that community follows Sharia law or is in favor of Sharia law."

Cogdell had a message for Abbott.

"Quit tweeting lies, false information, and nonsense. Because my clients right now, what they are doing is they are suffering from essentially gubernatorial hate speech," he stated.

Cogdell reportedly told KTVK that his clients have received "dozens of death threats." As a result, the developers were "too scared to go on camera," according to the news outlet.

When reached for comment, the governor's office referred KTVK to previously released statements.

Beck was offered an opportunity to speak with the project's developer on Thursday, only to discover that Cogdell had been tapped to talk on their behalf. Upon realizing this, Beck canceled, insisting that he wanted a candid conversation with the developer, not the attorney. The developer signaled interest in rescheduling for next week.

During Thursday's radio show, Beck stated, "I got an email from somebody who said, 'You know, you should talk to the developer directly.'"

The email read, "Given the amount of misinformation circulating, it might be beneficial to speak directly with the landowner developer to ensure accuracy."

"So I said yes to that on the program," Beck stated. "Then I find out that it's the lawyer. Well, what happened to the directly to the landowner developer? So they said he'll be prepared for our conversation sometime next week."

"I don't have anything bad to say about the developer if it's all on the up and up," he added. "It's just, there's some things about this, the people that are engaged in it, that are a little disturbing."

The developer did not respond to a request for comment from Blaze News.

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House Dem in Ohio Swing District Turns to Liberal Firebrand Jasmine Crockett for Fundraising Help

Rep. Emilia Sykes, a vulnerable Ohio Democrat, is seeking a fundraising boost from Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D., Texas), the left-wing firebrand whose insults directed at Republicans consistently stir controversy.

The post House Dem in Ohio Swing District Turns to Liberal Firebrand Jasmine Crockett for Fundraising Help appeared first on .

FLASHBACK: Jasmine Crockett Attacked Byron Donalds for Interracial Marriage: 'You Married a White Woman'

Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D., Texas) once attacked Rep. Byron Donalds (R., Fla.) for having a white wife, saying Donalds "married a white woman and so you think that whitewashed you." It's unclear whether Crockett believes Kamala Harris is "whitewashed" for marrying a white man.

The post FLASHBACK: Jasmine Crockett Attacked Byron Donalds for Interracial Marriage: 'You Married a White Woman' appeared first on .

Jasmine Crockett ‘Liked’ Posts Calling Abbott ‘Hot Wheels’ in 2021, Undercutting Her Explanation for Deriding Wheelchair-Bound Governor

Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D., Texas) "liked" Facebook comments referring to wheelchair-bound Texas governor Greg Abbott as "hot wheels" in 2021—a year before he started busing migrants to Democratic cities, the policy Crockett said she was referring to when she called Abbott "hot wheels" herself.

The post Jasmine Crockett ‘Liked’ Posts Calling Abbott ‘Hot Wheels’ in 2021, Undercutting Her Explanation for Deriding Wheelchair-Bound Governor appeared first on .

Jasmine Crockett admits she's not focused on lawmaking; recommends violence against Ted Cruz



The Democratic Party is setting all-time records with its unpopularity. According to a recent NBC News survey, only 27% of voters have a positive view of the party.

Rather than deliver legislative victories to improve upon this embarrassing statistic, some Democrats instead appear committed both to engaging in violent rhetoric and preventing President Donald Trump from delivering on his promises to the American public.

Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett made clear in a recent interview that she is one such Democrat.

Since rolling up to Congress in 2023, Crockett has introduced a few bills and partisan resolutions, including a bill that would direct the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services to launch a pro-abortion propaganda campaign; a bill designating the month of August as "National Black Business Month"; and a bill ensuring that convicted criminals can vote nationwide.

KXAS-TV's Phil Prazan asked Crockett in an interview released Sunday whether she was trying to pass any legislation in the 119th Congress.

"'Trying to pass.' Uh, no," said Crockett. "You know, I should probably be a better politician and tell you, 'Yes, we've got all this amazing legislation that I can absolutely imagine Donald Trump signing into law.' I'm just not gonna lie."

'We've gotta get comfortable with letting our hair down a little bit.'

"I think that right now it is about preserving our basics and getting back some of the norms — the norms that make sure that people have food on the table; the norms that make sure that people aren't going through any extra layer of stress when it comes to figuring out education for their kids," continued Crockett. "So right now, I can tell you that, unfortunately, I am not working towards very much that I would consider being the progress train. I am working to make sure that I can minimize the regress train."

If Crockett's recent conduct and commentary serve as any indication, then the minimization of the "regress train" involves publicly rooting for foreign nations engaged in trade disputes with the U.S.; telling radicals that Elon Musk must be "taken down" amid firebombs; characterizing Republican voters as stupid; issuing racist remarks; mocking the handicapped; and dubbing the commander in chief "an enemy to the United States."

During the interview, Gromer Jeffers from the Dallas Morning News asked Crockett how she plans to "resist Trump's policies."

"The reality is that we're dealing with an administration that is lawless and disrespectful," said Crockett. "The idea that we're still going to be nice and friendly and kind and try to look for some sense of normalcy when we are literally living in a time that is anything but normal, I think that we've gotta get comfortable with letting our hair down a little bit."

"We clearly play ourselves by being like these, like, do-gooders, right," said the congresswoman. "It just needs to be clear that we're not weak. And I don't know that anybody believes that we're not weak."

Apparently desperate to make clear that she is neither friendly nor a do-gooder, Crockett appeared to advocate for violence against at least one Republican lawmaker.

When asked about how to win an election in Texas, Crockett said, "You punch. I think you punch. I think you're OK with — you OK with punching."

Crockett then referenced failed Colin Allred's electoral defeat last year by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and suggested the Democrat should have been more combative with his Republican opponent, saying, "I mean, like, this dude [Cruz] has to be knocked over the head, like, hard, right. Like, there is no niceties with him — like, at all. Like, you go clean off on him."

While Crockett's violent rhetoric was likely enough to confirm for critics her commitment to unfriendliness as a hands-off legislator, her mockery of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) in a speech Saturday at a LGBT activist event in Los Angeles — calling him "Governor Hot Wheels" on account of his wheelchair — helped seal the deal.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) stated, "Jasmine Crockett is despicable."

Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R) noted, "FYI to the new spokeswoman for the Democrat party— @GregAbbott_TX became paralyzed after a huge oak tree fell on him, crushing his spine. But sure, go with 'hot wheels.'"

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