Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is the most powerful figure in state government. He is also the most loathsome person in the government. He had a talk show before he was elected to the State Senate. He was the Rush Limbaugh of Texas. His views are far right. He hates public schools. He has a passion for charter schools and vouchers. He doesn’t care about charter school corruption. He will not allow a new school finance bill to pass unless he gets vouchers passed too.
Fortunately the Republicans in the House of Representatives won’t pass vouchers. They care about their communities. Dan Patrick prefers to starve public schools.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
How long before the Republican Party splits into two parties? There will be the Alt-Right GOP (Gropers of the Oppressed) and what will the Republicans that are standing against the elected Rush Limbaughs or our age call themselves – Common Sense Republicans?
And not too far behind that split, will be the breakup of the Democratic Party if the neo-liberals refuse to relinquish the reigns of power they now hold. History shows us that once in power, few ever leave willingly without a fight to the end. All we have to do is look at what is happening in Syria for a modern day history lesson as it is being written.
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How long are people going to stand for elected representatives that use extortionist tactics to forward an unpopular privatization agenda? It is time for Texans to dump Abbott and his radical sidekick, Dan Patrick.
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“Patrick speaks about ‘the inner city’ with the smooth confidence of a man who’s never experienced the challenge but knows the precise solution. He’s the loudmouthed guy at the end of the bar, explaining how to hit a Clayton Kershaw slider. He’s the clueless uncle, giving an expectant niece his sure-fire, drug-free tips for managing pain during childbirth. He’s the eternal talk show host, all honeyed words and callus-free hands.”
What a great paragraph! I know this guy and see him/her everywhere I go.
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Does he have kids? Where do they go to school?
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Is there any politicians that aren’t wall to wall flaming gaping AH’s.
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There is some support for school choice and vouchers in the Lone Star State. Most people want to cut the number of standardized tests, and increase funding. See this :
https://www.texastribune.org/2017/02/22/uttt-poll-education-pretty-good-texans-have-some-suggestions/
Are Texans really satisfied with “pretty good”? The second most populous state in our union, should be demanding excellence.
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Charles,
You don’t get excellence unless you pay for it.
In 2011, Texas cut $5.2 billion from the schools. Since then, enrollment is up, the state is flush but only $1 billion has been restored. I think the white men who run the legislature–esp Dan Patrick, the Lt Gov-don’t want to pay to educate poor brown and black children.
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I agree, quality costs more. I am hesitant to bring race into the question. With school costs being paid with property taxes, wealthy areas can afford quality schools, and poor, economically depressed areas, cannot. This results in “educational apartheid”, and a downward spiral, as wealthy people flee from poor areas, with poor schools.
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Lt. Dan has forgotten that this is supposed to be the “The Great State of Texas” not the great state of Lt. Dan.
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