The Texas state House is set to vote on a school choice bill that would create a $1 billion fund for parents to use taxpayer dollars to pay for private school education. This proposal, Senate Bill 2, has been a top priority for Gov. Greg Abbott and is expected to pass in the House. The bill has received support from more than half of the chamber’s members. Passage in the House would clear the way for the bill to reach the governor’s desk.
The bill has faced opposition in previous years, but this year may be different as Abbott campaigned successfully against Republicans who previously blocked similar bills. The House Speaker has expressed confidence that the bill will pass and is excited to send it to the governor for approval.
In addition to the school choice bill, the House will also consider a bill on Wednesday that would provide teacher pay raises and increase per-student funding for public schools. This bill is expected to pass with bipartisan support.
The school choice proposal would provide education savings accounts of approximately $10,000 for participants, with eligibility being universal for school-aged Texas children. The Texas comptroller’s office would administer the program, with funds being used for tuition, school meals, uniforms, and educational materials.
Critics, including public education advocates, oppose sending public dollars to private education, fearing it could harm the public education system. Proponents argue that it provides more options for parents who cannot afford private school without government assistance. The education savings account program is capped at $1 billion in funding through 2027, but it is estimated to grow to nearly $4 billion by 2030.
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