A partial list of pro-voucher contributors to lawmakers who have filed school voucher legislation or taken a leadership position in favor of vouchers
Contributor / Candidate / Year / Amount
All Children Matter / (U.S.) Rep. Linda Harper-Brown, R-Irving / 2004 / $15,000
All Children Matter / (U.S.) Rep. Ken Paxton, R-McKinney / 2004 / 10,000
All Children Matter / (TX) Rep. Bill Zedler, R-Arlington / 2004 / 1,000
All Children Matter / (TX) Rep. Jerry Madden, R-Richardson / 2004 / 1,000
Dr. James Leininger / Paxton / 2003 / 1,000
Dr. James Leininger / Rep. Jodie Laubenberg, R-Parker / 2002-04 12,500
Dr. James Leininger / Gov. Rick Perry / 2000-04 / 126,415
Source: Texas Ethics Commission
• Harper-Brown is co-author of HB 1263, proposing a pilot “school choice” program for eight urban counties, including Travis.
• Paxton, Laubenberg, and Zedler are among the bill’s co-authors.
• Madden has filed HB 1445 promoting a “virtual” voucher school network, for online home schooling.
• Strayhorn left out: State Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn, who once enjoyed Leininger’s generous contributions – upwards of $100,000 from 2000-2003 – is no longer on the San Antonio tycoon’s recipient list. Strayhorn, a likely Perry opponent in 2006, is courting the public school/anti-voucher contingent.
This article appears in March 25 • 2005.
