Performing Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock is asking the Texas Lawyer Basic’s Workplace whether or not sure colleges might be excluded from Texas’ new college voucher program based mostly on connections to a U.S. Muslim advocacy group or alleged ties to the Chinese language authorities.
In a request for opinion filed to state Lawyer Basic Ken Paxton’s workplace on Dec. 12, Hancock requested whether or not colleges might be excluded from this system in the event that they had been linked to a “overseas terrorist group” or a “overseas adversary.” Hancock recommended colleges that had hosted occasions for the Council on American-Islamic Relations, a Muslim civil rights group which Gov. Greg Abbott lately designated as a terrorist group, could be affected.
CAIR is suing Abbott over the terrorist designation, claiming it was defamatory and never based mostly in regulation.
Hancock additionally alleged that one college within the state was owned or managed by a bunch linked to an adviser for the Chinese language authorities, which he wrote “seem to implicate newly enacted legal guidelines limiting property possession, management, and monetary affect by overseas adversary entities in Texas.” Senate Invoice 17, which went into impact on Sept. 1, bans governments, firms and people who legally reside in China, Russia, Iran and North Korea from proudly owning land and properties within the state.
Hancock stated in an announcement that the request got here after “credible issues” had been raised in regards to the affiliation of some pre-approved suppliers for the voucher program, and so authorized steering was requested. The Houston Chronicle first reported Hancock’s request.
“This request doesn’t prejudge any establishment or presume any consequence,” Hancock stated. “It merely displays our obligation to safeguard private information from overseas adversaries and be sure that no public funds are used, straight or not directly, in a fashion that conflicts with Texas regulation or undermines the safety pursuits of our state.”
Hancock didn’t point out in his request or assertion which colleges or what number of might doubtlessly be affected by the dedication from Paxton’s workplace. Lawyer Basic opinions usually are not legally binding, however are used as steering for state businesses as they function.
A spokesperson for CAIR Texas stated in an announcement that the occasions hosted on the colleges had been “Know Your Rights” occasions designed to tell college students about state and federal civil rights and protections. The group challenged that any a part of Senate Invoice 2, which created the brand new voucher program, or “different related legal guidelines” approved excluding colleges from this system.
“Internet hosting civil rights training for college kids is lawful. So is educating college students about their rights underneath the U.S. and Texas Constitutions,” a spokesperson with CAIR Texas stated. “Any try to penalize colleges for studying about their civil rights from a company Greg Abbott occurs to dislike would increase severe First Modification issues.”
About 600 Texas personal colleges and 200 distributors have already utilized for the state’s new voucher program within the 10 days since functions opened, in response to the Comptroller’s workplace. The functions are accepted on a rolling foundation. The creation of the voucher program was lengthy wanted by Abbott, and guidelines for the vouchers had been authorised in late November. Functions for Texas households open Feb. 4.
Abbott’s designation of CAIR as a overseas terrorist group is a part of an uptick in Texas politicians’ criticisms of Islam and the presence of Muslim organizations within the state. The rise was partially sparked by a number of investigations earlier this 12 months into the East Plano Islamic Heart’s “EPIC Metropolis” growth in North Texas.
Disclosure: The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts has been a monetary supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan information group that’s funded partially by donations from members, foundations and company sponsors. Monetary supporters play no position within the Tribune’s journalism. Discover a full listing of them right here.
This text first appeared on The Texas Tribune.
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