Statement from Rep. Garcia on Senate Bill 2
AUSTIN, Texas - In the early hours of Thursday morning, following over 16 years of rigorous debate, Texas State Representative Linda Garcia stood firm on the House Floor, opposing Senate Bill 2, a school voucher proposal that threatens to divert essential public funds to private institutions, potentially undermining the state’s commitment to providing quality education for every child.
“In the early hours of the morning, the House passed Senate Bill 2, a devastating blow to public education Texas,” said Representative Garcia. “This voucher scheme takes public dollars out of our already underfunded public schools and hands them to wealthy families at private schools that are not held to the same standards. In doing so, it erodes the very foundation of public education. I voted against SB 2 because public education should be our greatest investment, not an afterthought. Until every child has access to a strong, well-funded public school, we cannot afford to redirect a single public dollar elsewhere.”
Throughout the debate on Senate Bill 2, Democratic colleagues offered numerous amendments to safeguard public dollars, give voters the right to decide, and ensure our most venerable students are not left behind. Every single one of those amendments was rejected.
Representative Garcia emphasized her unwavering dedication to public education, stating “Despite this setback, I want to be clear that I am not giving up. Our fight for strong, equitable public schools continues. I will keep showing up, speaking out, and working with families, teachers, and students to protect the promise of a free, high-quality education for every child in Texas.”
Senate Bill 2 creates a voucher for wealthy families to subsidize the tuition they already pay. The bill, with its $1 billion fiscal note for the first two years, was the result of the relentless attacks on public education and a coordinated campaign by Governor Abbott to buy votes in the Texas house. The bill now goes to the Governor’s desk and will forever change the future of public education in Texas.
About State Representative Linda Garcia: Linda Garcia represents Texas House District 107, which encompasses parts of Dallas, Mesquite, and Garland. A longtime community advocate and leader, Garcia is committed to championing policies that empower families, strengthen communities, and create an economy of opportunity for all Texas.
