Texas Education Change Edges Closer

The Texas House Public Education Committee on Thursday voted to advance school voucher legislation to the House floor.

The legislation—a key legislative priority of Republican Governor Greg Abbott—advanced out of the committee on a 9-6 vote, mostly along party lines, according to Fox 4.

Abbott on Thursday said it "moved universal school choice one step closer to reaching my desk" and said he looked forward to signing it into law.

Newsweek has contacted Abbott's office for further comment via email.

Why It Matters

Twenty-nine states and the District of Columbia have implemented some sort of school choice program, which allows families to use taxpayer money to send their children to private schools. Some have strict income requirements or are limited to certain students, but at least 15 states have one program that's universally accessible.

In recent years, there has been a push among Republican leaders to make taxpayer-funded vouchers or scholarships that can be used to send any child to a school regardless of income. Proponents say the programs benefit low-income students and allow parents to choose the best environment for their children, while opponents say they take needed funds away from public schools and mostly benefit wealthy families who were already paying for private education for their children.

What To Know

Senate Bill 2, which would allow families to use taxpayer money to pay for their children's private school tuition, passed the Texas Senate in February.

Lawmakers unveiled an updated version of the bill as well as changes to House Bill 2, public school funding legislation, on Monday follows days of public testimony.

Current state budget proposals set aside $1 billion for vouchers, the Texas Tribune reported.

The House public education committee voted on Thursday to cap the first two years of a potential voucher program at $1 billion. That came in response to concerns about the cost of a voucher program, which a budget analysis said could reach almost $5 billion by the 2030 fiscal year.

The new proposal would also limit funding for students without disabilities or those from wealthier households (those making more than $156,000 annually) to 20 percent of the program's budget until after the 2026-27 school year.

Lawmakers on the committee also approved a change that would restrict voucher eligibility to U.S. citizens or lawful residents.

What People Are Saying

Texas Governor Greg Abbott said in a statement on Thursday: "Texas is within reach of the largest school choice program launch in the nation. Today, the Texas House Committee on Public Education moved universal school choice one step closer to reaching my desk."

He added: "Chairman Brad Buckley and the members of his committee worked around-the-clock to hear public testimony that lasted for nearly 24 hours. I thank them, as well as Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, Speaker Dustin Burrows, and Chairman Brandon Creighton, for their tireless work to empower Texas parents and students by providing school choice. I look forward to its swift passage in the Texas House and signing this bill into law."

The committee prompted controversy for not live-streaming Thursday's vote, which is not mandatory but has been standard procedure in recent years.

State Representative James Talarico, a Democrat and former teacher who is on the committee, said during Thursday's hearing: "I just want to say that there are a lot of people across this state who have suspicions about this bill, suspicions about its motivations, suspicions about the money behind it, suspicions about the tactics used to pass it, and this does not help."

State Representative Alma Allen, a Democrat on the committee, said during the hearing: "When vouchers come, we kill neighborhood schools. Schools are closing down right now, programs are being eliminated in schools. This is going to be a detriment to all public schools and so with that in mind, I don't know anything you can do to fix the bill that convinces me to vote for vouchers."

Texas House Democrats wrote on X: "Greg Abbott is passing his private school voucher scam in committee behind closed doors with no live stream. Texans deserve to hear about the biggest change to public education in a century."

Nathan Cunneen, Texas state director of American Federation for Children, a school choice advocacy organization, said in a statement provided to Newsweek: "The momentum driving states to deliver school choice is unstoppable. Parents are demanding the ability to choose the best educational path for their children, and their elected leaders are responding. We applaud the steadfast leadership of Chairman Buckley and all who have stepped up to support Texas students. We call on the legislature to move quickly to send this bill to Governor Abbott's desk."

Clay Robison, a spokesperson for the Texas State Teachers Association, told Newsweek: "We still oppose the voucher bill and will continue to fight it. The overwhelming majority of witnesses told the House committee they opposed spending tax money on private schools. But the committee majority ignored them. They also ignored most of their constituents, who are tired of their public schools being underfunded."

What Happens Next

Senate Bill 2 now goes to the full House for consideration.