SBOE Announcement!! Gov. Perry Appoints Conservative to SBOE Chair
Update: Opposition is in full panic mode: I don’t like to say “I told you so”, but the usual small group of Austin critics are already unleashing their fury on Gail Lowe, loosely throwing around words like “personal beliefs” and “creationist” (unsubtle code words for their targeted attack on Lowe for her religious beliefs) in their unhinged verbal attack of Lowe. Even though at least one political news source considers Lowe a “moderate” of conservatives, it doesn’t matter to the Austin extreme left. Our point exactly — it doesn’t matter if its McLeroy, Dunbar, or Lowe, or any other SBOE conservative member, these political and religious attacks will continue, pretending to be something else.
The reason for the appointment is because 11 (all Democrats) of the 31 Texas Senators blocked the confirmation of Don McLeroy, citing to the New York Times for reasons to oppose McLeroy. So Gov. Perry was forced to appoint another sitting SBOE member, to be chairman. 19 (all Republican) of the 31 (a majority) Texas Senators voted for McLeroy.
Gov. Perry Appoints Gail Lowe to State Board Chair
Free Market Foundation Applauds Conservative Appointment
AUSTIN, Texas – Today, Gov. Perry selected Gail Lowe to be the next chair of the State Board of Education (SBOE). Gail Lowe, of Lampasas, Texas, is one of the more conservative SBOE members, and was first elected to the SBOE in 2002. She previously served on the Lampasas Independent School District Board of Trustees and has volunteered countless hours in the classroom. Following the Governor’s announcement, Free Market Foundation released the following statement:
“We applaud Gov. Perry for making an excellent choice for our new State Board of Education chair,” said Kelly Shackelford, president of Free Market Foundation. “Gail Lowe is a strong conservative, representing Texas values, and has long been a leader in the field of education, in her local community, and in various roles as a State Board of Education member.”
“Our state and our schoolchildren will benefit greatly from Mrs. Lowe’s service, care, and commitment as the new State Board of Education Chair,” said Jonathan Saenz, legislative director at Free Market Foundation. “We hope that the usual critics will rise above their religious discrimination of the past and allow Mrs. Lowe to focus on the important education issues of our state,” said Jonathan Saenz, legislative director at Free Market Foundation.
Free Market Foundation has worked on numerous issues before the State Board of Education, including recent testimony and key analysis on the science curriculum standards and Bible curriculum standards for Texas public schools.
For more information or for interviews, please call or email Jennifer Grisham, director of media, at (972) 423-8889 extension 102, [email protected], or (512) 879-7995.
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You recall, that Don McLeroy’s confirmation as SBOE chairman was rejected earlier this year by 11 (all Democrats) of 31 Texas Senators. Even though 19 of 31 Texas Senators voted “FOR” McLeroy, he needed a 2/3rds majority to be confirmed. So 11 Texas Senators were able to block the will of the majority.
The New York Times was cited as a source for basis of criticism on McLeroy, which lead some Senators to vote against him. Some Texas Senators care more about what the N.Y. Times thinks, and less about Texans.