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Texas legislators ready for 'school choice' showdown
The Texas Legislature's third special session got underway on Monday. The main topic of discussion in Austin is expected to be around school choice.
AUSTIN, Texas - State lawmakers are back in Austin for a third special session called by Governor Greg Abbott.
Six items are on the agenda, but the number one reason the Governor brought the legislature back is school choice.
It is likely to be 30 contentious days in the Capitol as this special session gets underway.
House Democrats held a news conference before the start of the third special session, saying they stand firm against what is called ‘school choice’ legislation.
If passed into law, it would allow public tax dollars to pay private school tuition.
"They can put as much lipstick on this pig as they want. In the states that have tried this, vouchers don't improve student performance, but what they do do is that they siphon off billions in underfunded public schools," said Rep. James Talarico (D-Round Rock).
Potential impact of 'school choice' remains drawback for passing voucher program
It may not be the potential impact of school choice, education savings accounts and voucher programs on urban areas that determine whether the proposal passes in this special session but rather what the impact could be on rural communities.
It is an issue that even divides Republicans, though we did not hear those voices from either chamber on Monday.
Both the House and Senate gaveled in on Monday with resolutions supporting Israel, but they are not unified on school choice.
"Senate Democrats stand united in our opposition to any legislation regardless what it's tied to including teacher pay raises and allotment," said State Sen. Carol Alvarado (D-Houston).
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School voucher bill filed in the Texas Senate
Texas lawmakers returned to Austin Monday for another special session. There's a lot on the table but the governor's number one priority is trying to establish an education savings account program for parents who want to send their children to private schools. FOX 4's Tisia Muzinga reports on that push and the opposition it faces.
Senate Democrat Jose Menendez filed a bill that includes a host of what he calls solutions.
That includes raising the amount the state provides school districts for each enrolled student from about $6,100 to $7,500.
Democrats say doing so will increase teachers salaries and other employees pay as well.
It would also change how special education funding is determined and raise the school safety allotment to $100 per student.
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Texas: The Issue Is - School Choice
Gov. Greg Abbott will call a special session in Austin for lawmakers to discuss school choice vouchers. Gov. Abbott says it's a win-win, but Rep. James Talarico of Williamson County says the plan could actually starve public schools. The FOX Texas Trio discusses the pros and cons.
Right now, that is set at $10.
"This is the vision that we have for really something that would change the way we educate every child. Every one of the 5.4 million children that we have in our Texas schools. There are not 5.4 million seats in private schools, so why are we going to take money that we need to improve and modernize our system?" said State Sen. Jose Menendez (D-San Antonio).
Republican Senator Brandon Creighton filed his own bill today that he says would put $5 billion new dollars into education.
Texas school leaders band together to call for lawmakers to fully fund public education
The show of solidarity comes ahead of another special session expected to be called by Gov. Greg Abbott in order to pass one of his priorities ‘school choice’ or school vouchers, depending on who you talk to about the hot-button issue.
The bill would provide across the board pay raises and a $3,000 retention bonus for teachers, plume increase the student allotment.
Democrats say anything that also includes school choice vouchers will be a no-go for them.
Governor Abbott has already promised a fourth special session if, in fact, school choice does not get passed.