Texas Senate to discuss school choice bill on Wednesday
School choice passes House and tariff impact on Texas
The Texas House passed school choice legislation for the first time. The bill creates a $1 billion program to use public funds to pay for private schooling. It would be the largest program of its kind in the country. Then, the Texas Association of Business talks about the kind of jobs that will be brought back to the Lone Star State due to tariffs.
AUSTIN - The Texas Senate will take up the much-discussed school voucher bill on Wednesday as it looks to clear the final hurdles before sending the legislation to Governor Greg Abbott's desk.
Senate to discuss school choice
The Texas House passed Senate Bill 2 early in the morning on April 17.
The bill would create a $1 billion program to establish education savings accounts that allow parents to use public funds to pay for private school tuition and other expenses.
The version of the bill passed by the House differs slightly from the version the Senate passed earlier this session.
Today, the Senate is expected to discuss the differences. The Senate session is expected to begin at 11 a.m.
Last week, Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick asked Texas Senators to approve the legislation as it stands. That means a committee would not have to work out the differences between the two chambers and vote again.
What we don't know:
Despite the urging of Lt. Gov. Patrick, it is not clear if the Senate will accept the House version of the bill.
What's next:
If approved, the bill would head to Governor Greg Abbott's desk for his signature.
Texas school choice fight
School choice and school funding approved
The controversial school choice plan pushed by Gov. Abbott won final approval in the Texas House. A teacher pay plan with more money for school districts also passed. But, both votes got sidetracked by a surprising morning meltdown.
The backstory:
Governor Greg Abbott has listed school choice as one of his top priorities for lawmakers, after it failed in four special sessions in 2023.
Abbott campaigned against Republicans who voted against education savings accounts in the 2024 primaries.
Proponents of school choice say the legislation gives options to parents. Opponents say the education savings accounts will not help low-income students, with some calling it "welfare for the wealthy."
Last Thursday, the House bill was approved 86-63. Every Democrat and two Republicans, Dade Phelan and Gary VanDeaver, voted no.
Several other states have similar programs in place, but Texas' will be the largest in the country.
On Wednesday, the Texas House also passed House Bill 2, which would provide $7.7 billion in funding for public schools.
The Source: Information on today's hearing calendar for the Texas Legislature. Information on Senate Bill 2 from the Texas Legislatu