Texas businesses urges school funding over vouchers [Video]

DALLAS — Schools are a crucial part of a region’s economic engine.

And when districts are chronically underfunded, the workforce of tomorrow suffers.

“We want to fund our public schools before we talk about any of the other things that might come up when we talk about education here in the state,” said Chris Lee, director of state advocacy for the North Texas Commission.

The commission is steering a growing list of organizations now working together to lobby for funding for public schools, instead of against school vouchers.

“We’re not going to take positions on education savings accounts, vouchers, or whatever we may want to call it,” said Ken Malcolmson, president and CEO of the North Dallas Chamber of Commerce, a coalition member. “We just simply think that it’s important at …