School Choice Wins In Texas

Want to see how ideas become laws that change lives? We trace a straight line from primary-source history to modern policy, then unpack how Texas advanced a billion-dollar school choice program while strengthening religious liberty protections. With Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, we dive into the long-game strategy behind expanding parental rights, why competition can lift outcomes for every student, and how teacher pay and public school funding fit into a balanced plan that keeps classrooms strong.

We start with something rare in politics: receipts you can hold. From Revolutionary-era Bibles and George Washington’s orders, to WWII chaplain records, we share artifacts that demonstrate how faith once operated in America’s civic and military life. When people see history up close, the debate shifts. Instead of arguing abstractions, we face a record that shows religious expression as a durable thread in our national fabric—not an intrusion to be scrubbed away.

From there, we break down the architecture of Texas’s program: a billion dollars in year one for roughly 100,000 students, clear pathways for families in need, and continued investment in public schools, including significant teacher pay raises. Worried that choice will drain districts? The numbers tell a different story, with 5.5 million students still in public schools and new incentives for districts to improve. Concerned about strings for private or homeschool families? Participation remains a choice; those who want full independence can simply decline funds.

We also face the cultural headwinds: DEI mandates, curriculum revisions that sideline core history, and policies that blur parental rights. Every law reflects someone’s morality; the founders argued that liberty needs a moral backbone to last. By restoring religious liberty and empowering parents, we create room for conscience, competition, and genuine excellence to thrive together. The theme we return to is courage—contending earnestly for what’s true while leading with love.

If you’re passionate about education freedom, faith in public life, or practical reforms that respect teachers and empower families, this conversation brings clarity and a path forward. Subscribe, share this episode with a friend who’s wrestling with these questions, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway—we read every one.

Support the show