Foreign entities have been trying to meddle in Texas affairs for years, whether that be through donations to schools to influence the education system, or by way of buying up farmland for nefarious purposes. It has become a longstanding problem, and now, as the new Legislative session approaches, there are new pushes to end foreign influence once and for all.
A new measure has been filed in the Texas House which would block universities from accepting funding from China, Russia, North Korea, or Iran. HB 173 was filed by State Rep. Giovanni Capriglione of Southlake this month and includes barring universities from soliciting rants from governments which have provided support to terrorist organizations.
Will Biagini of Texas Scorecard says we need even more efforts like this.
"We have seen far too many hostile countries try to stick their fingers into the higher education system in Texas, and we need to stop it," he says.
Texas has fought against this kind of thing for a while now, and not just on the education level. They have gone after Chinese companies trying to purchase farmland here in Texas and have warned of Chinese infiltration into the state for years. Of course, it does not stop there. Iran, and North Korea have both done similar things to China.
The Governor has also tried his best to stop the bleeding.
"He recently directed state entities, including funds controlled by universities, to block investments in China, and divest from existing holdings tied to the Chinese Communist Party," he says.
It is for good reason, too. Much has been written previously about the CCP ties to both the University of Texas and Texas A&M. The latter of those two has also been in hot water over dealings with nuclear secrets and their Qatar campus.
On the heels of that, Abbott has also directed public institutions to safeguard intellectual property. Which comes as Texas A&M continues accepting more and more Chinese nationals into their nuclear engineering programs.
The Texas Legislative Session begins January 14th.
Photo: iStock Editorial