{"id":341858,"date":"2025-10-29T23:48:26","date_gmt":"2025-10-29T23:48:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/341858\/"},"modified":"2025-10-29T23:48:26","modified_gmt":"2025-10-29T23:48:26","slug":"vague-language-in-prop-15-on-texas-ballot-threatens-both-educators-and-families-advocates-warn","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/341858\/","title":{"rendered":"Vague language in Prop 15 on Texas ballot threatens both educators and families, advocates warn"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"VotersProp 15 is one of 17 ballot measures Texas voters are deciding on this election. Credit: Shutterstock \/ Frame Stock Footage<\/p>\n

With early voting underway on a slate on amendments to the Texas Constitution, advocates warn that Proposition 15 on the ballot would give parents unparalleled and dangerous influence over public school educators. <\/p>\n

\u201cThis proposition is not about protecting parents, it\u2019s about provisioning politicians with a constitutional weapon to intrude on the family sphere and to target the most vulnerable minor in crisis \u2014 specifically, immigrant youth and those seeking essential healthcare out-of-state,\u201d Fund Texas Choice Executive Director Anna Rupani said on a press call this week.<\/p>\n

If passed, Prop 15 would amend the state constitution to give parents the right \u201cto exercise care, custody, and control of the parent\u2019s child, including the right to make decisions concerning the child\u2019s upbringing\u201d and \u201cto nurture and protect\u201d the child, as presented on the ballot. <\/p>\n

Although it might sound harmless, the vague language could expose schools to lawsuits for teaching a curriculum that conflicts with a parent\u2019s individual beliefs. The wording also could allow the state to intervene in important family decisions, said Darcy Caballero, a government relations and political director at Planned Parenthood Texas Votes.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen something is this broad and this unclear, it\u2019s not parents who end up getting the final say under this amendment \u2014 it\u2019s politicians, judges, CPS and state agencies,\u201d Caballero said. \u201cThis isn\u2019t even about helping parents \u2014 it\u2019s about putting the state in the middle of family life.\u201d<\/p>\n

Prop 15 was added to the ballot after the Republican-controlled Texas Legislature passed it during the most recent session. State Sen. Mayes Middleton, R-Wallisville, authored the Senate version, while Valoree Sawnson, R-Spring, sponsored its House companion. <\/p>\n

Conservative religious groups including the Baptist General Convention of Texas, the Texas Christian Life Commission, the Family Freedom Project and the Texas Public Policy Foundation have come out in support of the amendment. <\/p>\n

Prop 15 is just one of 17 ballot measures Texas voters are deciding on this election. More information about these propositions is available in the\u00a02025 Voter Guide<\/a>\u00a0from the San Antonio Chapter of the League of Women Voters.<\/p>\n

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