Texas AFL-CIO & Public School Advocates Unveil ‘Kids & Teachers Over Billionaires’ Banner Across from Governor’s Mansion to Protest Private School Vouchers
AUSTIN, Texas – Today, the Texas AFL-CIO, Texas AFT, teachers, public school supporters, and anti-voucher elected officials gathered to directly oppose Governor Greg Abbott’s signing of Senate Bill 2, the private school voucher scam.
The groups unveiled a large banner — directly across from the Governor’s Mansion — with the words, “Kids & teachers over billionaires (and those that cave to them),” including an image of Abbott behind a pile of money.
“Today is the latest in a series of damn sad days for Texas public schools this session,” said Zeph Capo, president of Texas AFT. “The governor bought himself a Legislature and it’s our kids and our educators who’ll pay the bill — as always. Every laid-off educator and shuttered neighborhood school is Greg Abbott’s handiwork, and the only way back from this self-made disaster is for the millions of Texans who oppose this voucher scam to give him his pink slip at the ballot box.”
“Greg Abbott has chosen his billionaire friends over the kids and teachers of Texas,” said Texas AFL-CIO President Rick Levy. “People across our state are opposed to this scam that will cut billions from our public schools. I hope this banner across from the governor’s mansion is a constant reminder that he will be held accountable.”
“Our schools don’t need ‘competition’ to help students. They need money. They need support. They need respect,” said Rachel Preston, Austin ISD French teacher and Education Austin member. “Greg Abbott’s proven he won’t provide any of that. So let’s show him that we won’t stand for this — we will save our public schools — together.”
“Instead of giving students an escape hatch, let’s build a system they don’t need to supposedly escape from. Let’s fully fund our public schools so they can defy any doubt that they cannot be better than any private alternative,” said Ayaan Moledina, high school sophomore and board vice chair for Students Engaged in Advancing Texas (SEAT). “I dream of a Texas where every student has access to an excellent education — not just those who can afford it. I dream of a public education system that reflects dignity, equity, and excellence for all students.”
“Though the Governor celebrates today, House Democrats will continue standing with the 5.5 million public school students, teachers, and parents across Texas who deserve fully funded schools instead of watching their classrooms grow larger, programs disappear, and schools close due to this harmful legislation,” said House Democratic Caucus Chair Rep. Gene Wu. “When Republicans passed this scam, they brazenly rejected accountability, voter approval, profit caps, and even child safety protections, choosing instead to celebrate while stealing from 5.5 million Texas students. Voters will remember this betrayal — House Democrats will make sure of it.”
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The Texas AFL-CIO is the state labor federation consisting of 240,000 affiliated union members and advocates for working people in Texas. Learn more at texasaflcio.org