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4w ago

Texas School Voucher Bill Advances to Full House for Debate

The $1 billion program prioritizes low-income families and students with disabilities but faces criticism over transparency and potential public school impacts.

Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX) takes a question from a reporter outside the West Wing after meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on February 5, 2025 in Washington, DC.
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Rep. Brad Buckley, R-Salado, lays out an education bill in the House Chamber just after 1pm on November 17, 2023. 
TheTexas House Committee on Public Education “moved universal school choice one step closer to reaching my desk,” Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said. “I look forward to its swift passage in the Texas House and signing this bill into law.” (AP file/Eric Gay)

Overview

  • The Texas House Public Education Committee has approved a school voucher bill, sending it to the full House for consideration.
  • The bill proposes allocating $1 billion over two years to provide up to $10,000 per student annually for private education or homeschooling.
  • Eligibility prioritizes low-income families and students with disabilities, while capping high-income family participation at 20% of the program's budget.
  • Critics have raised concerns about the bill's impact on public school funding, transparency in the legislative process, and exclusion of undocumented students.
  • Governor Greg Abbott, a strong proponent of the bill, expressed confidence in its passage and called it a significant step toward expanding school choice in Texas.