WASHINGTON—In their inaugural speeches on Tuesday, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov Dan Patrick called for the state legislature to empower parents and pass education choice.

Kevin Roberts, president of The Heritage Foundation, released the following statement in response to the speeches:

“The largest political coalition in America is not Republicans, Democrats, or even independents. It’s parents. Today, parents across Texas and the country are more united and energized than ever when it comes to the education of their children.

“Gov. Abbott and Lt. Gov. Patrick are right: parents should be in the driver’s seat of their child's education. Now, in its 88th Legislature, the Lone Star State has the opportunity to do just that while creating even greater momentum for passing similar legislation in other states. We at Heritage applaud the Governor’s and Lieutenant Governor’s dedication to improving opportunity for the next generation of Texans.”

Lindsey Burke, director of the Center for Education Policy at The Heritage Foundation, added:

“Momentum is building to finally see education choice become a reality for Texas families. All across the country, states are freeing up education dollars to follow children to learning options that meet their individual needs and reflect their families’ values. This is the year Texas leads on the school choice wave.

“Despite what special interest groups would have you believe, families in rural counties in Texas overwhelmingly support school choice—and more than 70 percent of rural families live within 10 miles of a private school. Gov. Abbott and Lt. Gov. Patrick are right to support policies that would put parents, rather than special interest groups or bureaucrats, in charge of their children’s education. Their leadership heralds a new era of education freedom in The Lone Star State.”