Texas Acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock is seeking legal guidance from the Attorney General’s Office regarding the exclusion of certain schools from the state’s new school voucher program, particularly those with ties to U.S. Muslim advocacy groups or alleged connections to the Chinese government. Hancock’s inquiry follows concerns about schools linked to organizations like the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), which Texas Governor Greg Abbott recently designated as a terrorist organization—a designation CAIR is currently challenging in court.
Hancock’s request mentions a specific school allegedly under the influence of Chinese government advisers, emphasizing compliance with Senate Bill 17, which restricts property ownership by entities from countries deemed adversarial. He underscores the importance of protecting personal data from foreign adversaries and ensuring that public funds comply with Texas law.
While Hancock did not specify which schools might be impacted, his request reflects broader political tensions regarding Islamic organizations in Texas. A spokesperson from CAIR argued that denying schools access to the voucher program for hosting civil rights events raises First Amendment issues.
The new voucher program has seen significant interest, with around 600 private schools and 200 vendors applying in its first days. Abbott has long advocated for such a program, which aims to benefit Texas families starting February 4th.
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