Editor’s note: To complement our special coverage of the school choice legislation under consideration in Texas, we asked proponents and opponents of the proposal to provide summaries of their respective positions in fewer than 900 words. Below is a statement in support of the legislation from Gov ernor Greg Abbott. The opposing Democratic argument from Rep. James Talarico can be found here. The views expressed in this article are those of the author and not this station or its parent company, Nexstar. To My Fellow Texans: We are close to passing the most critical education legislation in Texas history. Never before have parents had control of their own child's education like they will once school choice is signed into law. As I travel across our state meeting with parents, children, and concerned Texans like you, one thing is clear – parents and teachers alike realize that not every child is best served by their assigned public school. Some schools are wasting money on administrators, instead of teachers. Some schools are pushing woke agendas, instead of teaching the fundamentals. Some schools just aren’t equipped to accommodate your children who have special needs. Parents who need another option desperately want school choice. But opponents trot out many myths to mislead parents and legislators about this bill. For example: Myth #1: You cannot fund school choice without jeopardizing public schools. The Truth: Funding for Texas public schools is at an all-time high of over $85 billion, and the Texas Legislature will invest $8 billion more this session. Also, funding for school choice and public schools comes from two different sources. Myth #2: Texas families already have school choice. The Truth: Only the wealthiest Texans can afford to send their children to a private school or a public school that is far away from home. These choices are not affordable for most Texas parents. Myth #3: Homeschool families and private schools will face more regulation under school choice. The Truth: The school choice bill explicitly bans a state agency from limiting a family’s or private school’s ability to determine their own curriculum or values. Furthermore, no state that passed school choice has ever experienced an increase in homeschooling regulation as a result. Opinion: Texans should reject Abbott’s voucher scam We will not let these lies from idealogues and paid lobbyists hold up the educational freedom that so many of you and your families desire – and deserve. Whether you live in the city, the suburbs, or in a rural Texas community, you deserve the ability to provide your children with the best chance to succeed. School choice will finally give that to you. More than 30 other states have realized that government-mandated schools cannot meet the unique needs of every student. It is time for Texas to join those states and provide school choice to you and your family. ...read more read less