James Talarico

Because when he sat me down, he was able to use all the conversations we'd had to talk about this policy.

And he said something to me that just blew my mind.

He said, James, whenever we talk about immigration, you always say don't punish kids for the decisions their parents make.

Right.

And immediately I was kind of first embarrassed and ashamed.

That's our natural reaction when we're wrong.

But I was like, James, he's absolutely right.

These kids didn't decide to be homeschooled.

This may be their only opportunity to interact with kids their own age in a public school setting.

The opportunity to do UIL football or choir or theater or debate, this could be a door that opens for these kids.

So anyway, I ended up crossing party lines to support that bill.

And I got a bunch of blowback from my folks.

But I felt like this trust that I had with James, someone who was on completely polar opposite side of me, moved me in a way that I actually changed my opinion on something.

And you know what?

We passed that bill a couple years ago, and I got to talk with some of the homeschool kids that are participating, and it has been a game changer for them.

That's awesome.

And what's interesting is that that has become a great recruitment tool for the local public schools.

Right.

Because then the public school is able to show off the UIL, how much fun it is.

And then the kids sometimes enroll.