{"id":176895,"date":"2026-02-23T20:04:08","date_gmt":"2026-02-23T20:04:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/176895\/"},"modified":"2026-02-23T20:04:08","modified_gmt":"2026-02-23T20:04:08","slug":"gubernatorial-hopeful-hinojosa-slams-abbotts-school-takeover-threat-during-san-antonio-stop","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/176895\/","title":{"rendered":"Gubernatorial hopeful Hinojosa slams Abbott’s school takeover threat during San Antonio stop"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"State Rep. Gina Hinojosa, D-Austin, speaks during a rally at San Antonio\u2019s Social Spot on Sunday. Credit: Michael Karlis<\/p>\n

During a San Antonio campaign stop, Texas Rep. Gina Hinojosa, a Democratic gubernatorial candidate, ripped Gov. Greg Abbott\u2019s recent threats<\/a> to take over public school districts whose students protested against the Trump administration\u2019s immigration policies.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is happening is districts are being taken over by the state in an effort to control all the vendor contracts, the contracts to build schools \u2014\u00a0all of those things are always about the money when it comes to what Greg Abbott is doing,\u201d said Hinojosa, who represents an Austin district. <\/p>\n

Hinjosa\u2019s allegations of corruption come as Attorney General Ken Paxton this month said he\u2019d launched an investigation<\/a> into whether three school districts, including San Antonio\u2019s North East ISD, approved and facilitated recent school walkouts there.<\/p>\n

That investigation followed Abbott\u2019s threat to take over districts that allowed similar demonstrations. Previously, state takeovers of school districts have been reserved for those struggling academically, as was the case with San San ISD\u2019s takeover <\/a>last year.<\/p>\n

By contrast, NEISD is among San Antonio\u2019s highest-performing districts.<\/p>\n

Regardless, Hinojosa, a former Austin ISD Board of Trustees member and favorite to challenge Abbott in the general election this year, reiterated that a state takeover should be the last resort and not used as a political weapon.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are against that; we never support reforming schools by taking power away from parents and the community,\u201d Hinojosa said. \u201cThat is not the right way forward.\u201d<\/p>\n

For reference, when the state takes over a school district, the Texas Education Administration (TEA) suspends the elected school board and replaces them with state-appointed bureaucrats. The superintendent also is replaced with state-appointed one. <\/p>\n

Some critics charge that state takeovers are a way to entice parents to sign up for Abbott\u2019s signature school voucher program<\/a>, which he signed into law last year.<\/p>\n

Hinojosa didn\u2019t go that far during her conversation with the Current. However, she said school vouchers are another money making scheme for Abbott and his cronies.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat is also about the money,\u201d Hinojosa said. \u201cThat is about taking our taxpayer dollars and putting them into private schools, where we have no insight into how the money is being spent, who is getting it and what it is being used for.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hinojosa spoke to the Current following rally for U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett at north-of-downtown venue The Social Spot.<\/p>\n

Crockett, who gave a brief speech and didn\u2019t answer any press questions, is engaged in a tight race with State Rep. James Talarico. Both are vying to be the Democratic nominee to run for U.S. Senate. <\/p>\n

During a press conference outside Rhodes Middle School last week, Talarico also lambasted Paxton\u2019s investigation<\/a> into public school districts.<\/p>\n

\u201cInstead of applauding those students, our top state leaders are trying to go after them with the power of their public office, and it\u2019s unconscionable,\u201d said, who taught at Rhodes getting into state politics. \u201cOur students and our educators deserve a lot better in this state.<\/p>\n

Early voting in the Republican and Democratic primaries runs through Feb. 27. Polls will reopen on March 3, Election Day.<\/p>\n

Folks can visit the Bexar County Elections Department\u2019s website<\/a> to find their nearest polling station and hours of operation.<\/p>\n

Sign Up for SA Current newsletters.<\/a><\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\tWhile the San Antonio district faced legitimate problems, critics say its state takeover has been a disaster for educators and students. \t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Senate\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tThe stop at Rhodes Middle School, where State Rep. James Talarico once taught, comes as the Democrat fights a competitive primary against U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett. \t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Texas\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tPaxton, a MAGA loyalist, said he\u2019s looking into concerns officials at North East ISD \u2018orchestrated the protests\u2019 against Trump\u2019s immigration policies. \t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

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