September 22, 2023
Bipartisan polling firm RABA Research conducted an online survey of 501 Texans September 19 – 21, 2023. The survey looked at respondents’ opinions of Attorney General Ken Paxton, private school voucher/educational savings account proposals, and attitudes toward neighborhood schools.
Of particular note, 75% of respondents have a favorable opinion of their own neighborhood public school, 66% of respondents do not “support state lawmakers diverting tax revenue away from neighborhood public schools to use for private school vouchers”, and 87% or respondents “support increasing public school teachers’ salaries”.
60% of respondents answered that they would be less likely to support their legislator if he or she voted to allow taxpayer dollars to be spent on private education.
When asked if respondents “support diverting taxpayer dollars away from public schools to use for private school vouchers at institutions that have previously paid financial settlements related to sexual abuse perpetrated by their members or employees”, an overwhelming and bipartisan 73% answered “no”. This includes 70% of Republicans, 71% of Democrats, and 80% of Independents all answering “no”.
Key Findings: Below are several key findings from the research.
- Ken Paxton is viewed favorably by 32% of respondents;
- 47% of respondents believe Ken Paxton should be removed from office, 22% of respondents believe he should not have been removed, 31% had no opinion;
- 55% of respondents oppose Texas adopting Education Savings Accounts;
- 72% of respondents believe Texas’ teachers should be able to voluntarily pay employee association or union dues through payroll deduction.