AUSTIN, Texas — This year, Texas Republicans have introduced several pieces of legislation injecting religion into public schools. Some have stalled or failed, while others have become law. The latest religious bill to have been signed into law prohibits school districts from preventing teachers from displaying "In God We Trust" signs in their classrooms. 

A 27-second Twitter clip featuring Gov. Greg Abbott confirms his passage of the bill. He passed a measure last year that requires public schools to display donated “In God We Trust” signs. But with this new rule on the signs in classrooms, it empowers teachers of religious faith.

“Some teachers complained that they’re being denied the ability to display ‘In God We Trust,’ our national motto, in their classroom,” said Abbott. “Well, I’m going to fix that.”

In the video, Abbott put his pen to paper and legalized the bill to prevent school districts from interfering in a teacher’s decision to show the signs in their classroom.

In addressing Texans, he announced, “I just signed a law prohibiting any school district from denying a teacher the ability to display ‘In God We Trust’ in their classroom.”

After SB797’s passage, in August 2022, the Carroll Independent School District turned down two donated framed posters from local resident and diversity advocate Sravan Krishna. One “In God We Trust” sign used rainbow colors, often associated with the LGBTQ community, and the other wrote out the motto in Arabic. The posters did not go against the key requirements of the law. The state and U.S. flags were exhibited on the posters and the school district did not pay.

The school board said they didn’t need any other posters, as the statute didn’t signify that more than one poster was required to be displayed. According to Board President Cameron Bryan, “The statute requires a durable poster or framed copy, which limits displays to one poster or framed copy in an effort not to overwhelm schools with donations.”

To Krishna, it was just an excuse to only showcase signs that are strictly Christian. 

"In God We Trust" signs aren't strictly Christian, however, which could open things up for teachers of other faiths.