Texas Ed Spectator

For those interested in a new and growing force in Texas politics.
Texas Parent PAC - Home - Standing Up for Texas Children:

Texas Parent PAC is a newly formed political action committee for parents, grandparents, parents-to-be, and anyone who loves children and supports high-quality public education. The future of Texas rests in the children of today, and our public schools are the best opportunity we have to ensure the state’s future is bright and prosperous. Unfortunately, state legislators continue to shortchange students by refusing to adequately fund neighborhood public schools. There are no good excuses for failure by the Legislature to meet the needs of 4.4 million students enrolled in Texas public schools!

The PAC is supporting a local candidate here in San Antonio.

MySA.com: Metro | State:

Texas Parent PAC, forged a year ago to elect public education proponents to the Legislature, threw its support Thursday behind Democrat Joe Farias in the closely watched race in Texas House District 118.

MySA.com: Metro | State:

Many of the PAC’s endorsements went to candidates running against recipients of campaign contributions from Dr. James Leininger, a San Antonio businessman and school-voucher advocate.

MySA.com: Metro | State:

The PAC’s biggest contributor has been another San Antonio businessman: Charles Butt, chairman and CEO of H-E-B. He’s given at least $133,000 to the organization in the past year, according to campaign finance filings.

I’m generally not a big fan of one issue organizations. However, education is Texas’ second largest budget expenditure which ultimately impacts other areas such as health care and public safety. And it’s nice to know that you can still get a group of people together to challenge the status quo and win.

Texas Parent PAC backs Democrat:

AUSTIN - Texas Parent PAC, a group that proved influential in this year’s Republican primaries, made its first endorsement for the general election Tuesday, backing Ellen Cohen, the Democratic candidate in Texas House District 134.

This is the group that all those “in the know” in Texas politics said didn’t stand a chance in last year’s elections.

Texas Parent PAC backs Democrat:

Parent PAC won a high-profile GOP primary battle in March when Arlington educator Diane Patrick defeated House Education Chairman Kent Grusendorf.Eight Republicans and one Democrat backed by the political action committee won primary and special elections this year, of a total of 18 candidates endorsed.

It’s nice to know that the little guy can still make a difference without a personal fortune, even in Texas.