Overview

• The Texas Senate voted 19-12 to pass the $1 billion voucher program, which now heads to Gov. Greg Abbott, who has pledged to sign it into law.
• The program provides up to $10,000 per student annually—or $30,000 for students with disabilities—for private school tuition, homeschooling, or virtual learning costs.
• In its first year, the program is capped at $1 billion, serving up to 90,000 students, with potential growth to $4.5 billion annually by 2030.
• The bill includes increased funding for special education and removes a prior restriction barring lawmakers from receiving voucher funds.
• Critics argue the program will divert resources from public schools and lacks sufficient accountability for private institutions, potentially exacerbating inequities.