Jeff Yass Called to Testify Before Texas House Public Education Committee

Republican megadonor Jeff Yass, a prominent advocate for school vouchers, has been summoned by the Texas House Public Education Committee to address his substantial campaign contributions to Governor Greg Abbott. Yass, a Pennsylvania-based billionaire and co-founder of Susquehanna International Group, has donated $12 million to Abbott’s campaign over the past year, including a record-breaking $6 million contribution last December.

The committee’s Democratic members—Alma Allen, John Bryant, Gina Hinojosa, and James Talarico—have requested Yass to explain his financial support and its connection to Abbott’s push for a controversial voucher plan. Critics argue that Yass’s donations have significantly influenced the governor’s efforts to implement policies that would redirect taxpayer funds to subsidize private school tuition.

Representative Talarico expressed concerns about the implications of the voucher plan, describing it as a “scam” in a recent statement. The committee’s letter to Yass emphasized the need for transparency, urging him to clarify his position and the potential impact of his contributions on Texas communities, including school closures and program cuts.

Yass has been a vocal proponent of school choice initiatives, which aim to provide families with state-funded options for private education. However, questions remain about what Yass and his investment firm stand to gain from the passage of such policies in Texas.

The House Public Education Committee is set to hear public testimony on House Bill 3, a proposal that would establish taxpayer-funded education savings accounts for private school tuition. The bill has sparked debate among lawmakers and the public, with supporters advocating for parental choice and critics warning of adverse effects on public school funding.