Ever wonder how NOT to get what you want out of a given situation? Start with jeering the person who can give it to you.
A meeting of the Texas Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) went awry this week when Chairman Brad Buckley (R-Salado) was booed on stage by the group’s attendees. He was speaking with them about the House’s education package that includes a school funding increase, a teacher pay raise, and an initially $1 billion Education Savings Account program.
As chairman of the House Public Education Committee, Buckley is arguably the most important figure in this current debate over school choice. He holds the keys to the vehicle.
The Texas PTA hates the school choice program — for reasons I cannot fathom, but which I’ll save for another Hot Take — and they wanted Buckley to know it.
But you know what Buckley hasn’t done? Dismiss the concerns of those opposite him out of hand.
In fact, he’s been the most willing to field those concerns.
While Gov. Greg Abbott throws haymakers left and right on social media, Buckley is doing the opposite as evidenced by his willingness to speak to their group.
State Rep. Ellen Troxclair (R-Lakeway) later tweeted a photo of messages delivered to her office in the shape of hearts.
A few read: “Jesus would vote ‘No’ on vouchers.” “KEEP ICE out of schools!” “I will speak my voice! You can’t shut us up.” “You can’t take diversity, equity, and inclusion away from us. It hurts.”
Boy, doesn’t that just make Republicans — who control the state, by the way — want to do Texas PTA’s bidding!
To their credit, the organization itself seemed to realize this and issued an apology on Facebook.
There are clearly a lot of strong feelings on both sides of this issue that is, at root, trying to allow children in underperforming schools to escape into successful institutions…
But you’re not going to beat your political opponent into submission. Particularly when you’re in the minority as it relates to the state legislature.
You catch more flies with honey than vinegar. And that ain’t just an old saying.