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3w ago

Texas House Debates $1 Billion School Voucher Bill in Pivotal Vote

Governor Greg Abbott's legacy-defining push for school choice faces a critical test as lawmakers deliberate on Education Savings Accounts and their impact on public education.

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Texas Governor Greg Abbott talks to reporters after U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order to reduce the size and scope of the Education Department during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House on March 20, 2025 in Washington, DC.
President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Monday, April 14, 2025.

Overview

  • The Texas House is voting on Senate Bill 2, which would allocate $1 billion to create Education Savings Accounts, giving parents $10,000 per child for private school tuition and other educational expenses.
  • Governor Greg Abbott has invested heavily in the initiative, spending millions to unseat GOP lawmakers opposing vouchers and framing the vote as central to his political legacy.
  • The legislation prioritizes low-income students and those with disabilities, with a cap limiting high-income families to 20% of program slots.
  • Critics argue the program could divert essential funding from public schools, while supporters claim it expands parental choice and educational opportunities.
  • Former President Donald Trump endorsed the bill, joining Abbott in urging House Republicans to pass the measure, which would make Texas the largest state to adopt such a program.