School vouchers falter in Texas
AUSTIN -- Gary VanDeaver describes himself as a conservative less than a minute into many conversations. The Texas state representative blames "unelected federal judges" for imposing gay marriage on America and has been endorsed by anti-abortion groups and the National Rifle Association.
But when it comes to one centerpiece conservative initiative -- allowing tax-subsidized vouchers for students to enroll in private schools -- VanDeaver says absolutely no way.
"In my district, public school is the community," said VanDeaver, of New Boston, a town about 25 miles from the Arkansas border where the Lions high school football stadium has 3,500 seats, nearly enough for every resident.
"If we do anything to pull those students away, then we're harming those communities," said VanDeaver, 58, after joining an overwhelming majority of the GOP-dominated state House this month to reject school vouchers.
Read more: http://www.dentonrc.com/news/texas-legislature/2017/05/01/school-vouchers-falter-texas
