Texas is making waves with a bill that could shake up the classroom decor of public schools across the state. This bill is aiming to require the posting of the Ten Commandments in every public school classroom. The state House of Representatives managed to pass this bill in a close 82-46 vote, despite facing some pushback from Democratic lawmakers who wanted to make amendments allowing school districts to opt in and have the Commandments displayed in different languages. After the House passed the bill with an amendment that shifts the responsibility of defending any legal challenges to the state, it must now go back to the Senate for final approval.
Advocates of the bill are pretty stoked about the progress it’s making, especially since they thought it would sail straight to the governor after the House vote. Governor Greg Abbott hasn’t dropped any comments on the bill’s passage yet, but it’s expected that he’ll give it the green light once it reaches his desk. The bill, known as SB 10, received party-line approval in the state Senate back in March, setting the stage for where we are now. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has been vocal about his support for the bill, emphasizing the importance of instilling the same moral compass in students as the state’s founding fathers.
Despite the bill’s progress, it’s likely to face some legal challenges due to its potential constitutional issues. Similar legislation in Louisiana faced opposition and was quickly challenged in court. If the bill becomes law, all public schools in Texas will have to prominently display the Ten Commandments in every classroom, but there’s no clear enforcement mechanism in place for schools or teachers who choose not to comply. It’s a bit of a gray area, and who knows what might happen if someone decides to go against the grain. The bill also allows for privately donated displays or the use of district funds to set up the Commandments in schools starting in the 2025-26 school year.
