Texas House committee approves new joint bill bundling school funding increases, vouchers

AUSTIN, Texas - Texas Governor Greg Abbott threatened to keep calling special sessions until House lawmakers pass school voucher legislation.

The governor’s comments came as a House committee approved the new joint bill that bundles school funding increases and vouchers, but there are still signs the legislation has a lot to overcome to make it past Democrats and rural Republicans in the House.

Educator groups are telling lawmakers that even though they need the money, they won’t take it if it means vouchers.

School voucher legislation now appears to be headed for its first House floor vote.

That's after a bill that both raises school funding and creates a voucher program passed a House committee along party lines early Friday.

It followed a marathon of testimony Thursday, where the voucher part faced pushback, and not just from Democrats.

"I don’t believe the people of House District 88 want it because there’s no chance in hell any voucher helps one student in House District 88. Not gonna happen," said State Rep. Ken King/(R) Canadian.

School vouchers have been a priority for Gov. Abbott going back to the regular session.

Supporters argue it gives students and parents more choice, setting aside money per students for private school expenses, but rural Republicans say it doesn’t help their districts, where private schools aren’t accessible.

Other critics say it’ll move money away from public education.

"I believe that the long term detrimental impact to the institution of educating all children in Texas is sincerely at risk if we go down this path," said HD Chambers, with the Texas School Alliance.

Gov. Abbott has been reluctant to let lawmakers tackle school funding or teacher pay until they pass vouchers.

But this time around, the bill wraps funding and vouchers together, a move that’s irked some public school organizations.

"I have found it extremely offensive and disingenuous to even have a discussion on this on a policy matter because of this thing hanging over our head about if you don’t do this, you’re not going to get a dime," Chambers said.

"This legislation is going to benefit the voters and residents in each of the House Members’ districts," Gov. Abbott said.

At an unrelated bill signing Friday, Gov. Abbott was asked what he would do if the House sends him the bill, but strips out vouchers.

"If it did, I would have to veto it. We would start all over again, we would be spending December here, maybe January here, maybe February here," he said. "And I know one thing about both the House and Senate. They want to get out of here."

The House did not have a quorum Friday. Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan said he'll bring lawmakers back to work Saturday.

It's still unclear when there might be a debate and vote, and whether lawmakers might make further changes to the bill.