Acting Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock has asked the Texas Attorney General's Office to determine whether certain schools may be excluded from the state's newly created school voucher program due to alleged connections to a U.S. Muslim advocacy group or potential ties to the Chinese government.
The Houston Chronicle was the first to report Hancock's request for Attorney General Ken Paxton's opinion, filed December 12, where Hancock asked whether schools linked to a "foreign terrorist organization" or a "foreign adversary" could be barred from participating in the program.
The request referenced schools that have hosted events for the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a Muslim civil rights organization recently designated by Governor Greg Abbott (R) as a terrorist organization.
Hancock's request cited allegations that one Texas school may be owned or controlled by a group connected to an adviser to the Chinese government. He wrote that such circumstances "appear to implicate newly enacted laws restricting property ownership, control, and financial influence by foreign adversary entities in Texas."
If found to be true, the school ownership would go against Senate Bill 17, which prohibits governments, companies, and individuals residing in China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea from owning land or property in Texas.
In a statement, Hancock said the request followed "credible concerns" raised about the affiliations of some pre-approved voucher providers.
"This request does not prejudge any institution or presume any outcome," Hancock commented. "It simply reflects our obligation to safeguard personal data from foreign adversaries and ensure that no public funds are used, directly or indirectly, in a manner that conflicts with Texas law or undermines the security interests of our state."
According to the Comptroller's office, about 600 private schools and 200 vendors have applied for the voucher program since applications opened. Attorney General opinions are only advisory and not legally binding, indicating a future legal battle if the claims are found true.
