Texas Legislature moves closer to passing school voucher program
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Gov. Greg Abbott at the Texas Governor's Mansion earlier this year. Photo: Azul Sordo/The Dallas Morning News/Tribune News Service via Getty Images
The Texas House voted 86-63 largely along party lines early Thursday to give initial approval to a bill creating a $1 billion private school voucher program.
Why it matters: The long-contested legislation passed a major hurdle this session, showing Republican lawmakers are ready to transform the education landscape in Texas and cement Gov. Greg Abbott's legacy.
- The Senate has already passed the bill.
Plus: Lawmakers also voted 144-4 to approve House Bill 2 that would spend nearly $8 billion to increase per-student funding by $395 and raise teacher and staff salaries, among other measures.
- Some Democrats argued the spending wasn't enough to bring funding to 2019 levels.
Zoom in: Senate Bill 2 would spend up to $1 billion over the next two years to create educational savings accounts, a form of vouchers, for families to use for private school tuition and school-related expenses.
Catch up quick: Supporters say vouchers provide more options for families, including at religious schools. Opponents say they cut into public school funding and enrollment.
How it works: Priority eligibility in the program the House approved Thursday would go to families that have low incomes or children with disabilities.
Flashback: After Abbott's signature legislation did not pass during the regular session and in four special sessions in 2023, the governor helped oust 11 Republican lawmakers who stood against school vouchers.
- Abbott said he wouldn't sign a school funding bill without vouchers, leaving districts without enough money to keep pace with inflation. Some districts have closed schools to make ends meet.
Between the lines: President Trump also waded into the conversation, telling House Republicans in a Wednesday morning call that a Texas voucher program is key to his national education agenda, the Texas Tribune reported.
What they're saying: "This is an extraordinary victory for the thousands of parents who have advocated for more choices when it comes to the education of their children," Abbott said in a statement on X.
- Abbott added that he will quickly sign the bill into law when it reaches his desk, "putting Texas on a pathway to becoming the best state in America for educating our kids."
The other side: "Are we really willing to trade an efficient system of public, free schools that serve all children for an inefficient system of private, expensive schools that will only serve a privileged few?" asked Rep. Chris Turner (D-Grand Prairie).
- Voucher opponents rallied at the Capitol Wednesday ahead of the planned vote, shouting "no vouchers, fund our schools."
What's next: The House must take a final vote, a formality, and then the House and Senate must hash out differences in the two versions of the bill, including how much money each participating family would receive per student.