March 16, 2018 - 8:58 AM
AUSTIN, Texas - Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has ordered two more school districts to stop "unlawful electioneering activities," accusing them of using state funds to endorse a political candidate.
Paxton's office said Friday that it had issued cease-and-desist letters to school districts in Elgin and Galena Park. Last month, similar letters were sent to three other school districts.
At issue this time are a tweet from Elgin's superintendent and a letter from a Galena Park principal. Both applauded a Republican challenger to Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick in Texas' March 6 primary.
Patrick is a top advocate for school vouchers that would give public funding to private schools. He won the primary handily.
Education advocates say supporting pro-classroom candidates doesn't violate state education code. The Texas Democratic Party has likened Paxton's efforts to voter suppression.
News from © The Associated Press, 2018