Oh, and while we're talking about public education and WTF lege, let's check in on higher education. SIAP but here's a Trib article and some links regarding what UT and other universities in Texas are going to be facing. No clue of how serious the lege is on promoting this among their other chicanery, but this is beyond McCarthy and going straight Christian Vo-Tech:
https://www.texastribune.org/2025/03/13/texas-universities-governing-boards-hiring-curricula-faculty-senates/
Here are a few excerpts but I strongly urge (in a REAL spirit of a strongly worded letter, not the sarcastic kind) reading the entire article. I read the bill itself because I thought, yeah, maybe they're exaggerating, but no, SB 37 is actually worse when you read some of the stuff the article omits for space. It effectively neuters the administration and faculty through this governing board that has more control than regents in some cases, and with-holds money for the yearly budget if they don't think the uni is conforming to their standards, standards which are rather enlightening once one reads the bill. Some of it is actually already in place in a not nefarious way because universities actually do provide oversight over their curricula, hiring, etc but this bill tweaks it to the extent that any faculty or other hires (normally the regents have the final say on those) must pass through this board and they are the ones with the vote. It also demonizes faculty senates and ...well I'll stop there but read the bill text if you have about ten minutes--I know I know, reading a proposed Act is not something you want to do, but if you want your children to inherit this mess, then look away. I'll put the bill link at the bottom.
The last is rather humorous because it addresses the notion that all universities are too liberal, progressive and yet they use wording that is rather um, inclusive but you know what they really mean so gah, I just can't. Here comes the march of the middling white religious conservative male, see him strut through the halls of higher ed wielding his superior white male intellect to the masses. Strike that, in the bill, this new board also has oversight over admissions so guess who doesn't get in? Not the masses that make up the demographic of this state, just those of whom we approve.
Here is the link to the bill:
https://trackbill.com/bill/texas-senate-bill-37-relating-to-the-governance-of-public-institutions-of-higher-education-including-review-of-curriculum-and-certain-degree-and-certificate-programs-the-powers-and-duties-of-a-faculty-council-or-senate-training-for-members-of-the-governing-board-and-the-establishment-of-the-office-of-excellence-in-higher-education/2698611/
Read between the lines in an Orwellian fashion and it is, as I stated, enlightening.
I forgot to add, I think it was Brandon Creighton of Conroe that proposed it.