AUSTIN, Texas — In a landmark decision, the Texas House of Representatives passed a $1 billion private school voucher bill on April 17, marking a significant shift in the state’s education policy. The legislation, known as Senate Bill 2, allows public funds to be used for private and religious school tuition, as well as homeschooling expenses. The bill passed with an 86-63 vote, with all present Democrats and two Republicans opposing the measure.
Governor Greg Abbott, a long-time advocate for school choice, hailed the bill’s passage as a major victory. “This is an extraordinary victory for the thousands of parents who have advocated for more choices when it comes to the education of their children,” Abbott said in a statement, adding that he would “swiftly sign this bill into law” once it reaches his desk.
The voucher program would provide families with education savings accounts, offering approximately $10,000 per student for private school tuition and related expenses. Homeschooling families would be eligible for up to $2,000 annually. Priority for the vouchers would be given to students with disabilities and those from low-income families, although 20% of the vouchers would have no income restrictions.
The bill’s passage comes after years of resistance in the Texas House, where bipartisan coalitions had previously blocked similar proposals. This time, however, the measure advanced with strong support from Republican lawmakers, bolstered by a concerted effort from Governor Abbott to build a pro-voucher majority. Notably, former House Speaker Dade Phelan and Rep. Gary VanDeaver were the only Republicans to vote against the bill, citing concerns about diverting resources from public schools.
Democrats and public education advocates have criticized the voucher program, arguing that it would siphon funds away from public schools and primarily benefit families who already send their children to private institutions. Rep. Gene Wu, a Houston Democrat, expressed concern that the program could lead to school closures and overcrowded classrooms.
The bill now moves to the Texas Senate, which had previously passed its own version of the voucher program in February. Lawmakers from both chambers will need to reconcile differences between the two versions before the legislation can be sent to Governor Abbott for final approval.
In addition to the voucher bill, the Texas House also approved a separate $7.7 billion school funding package aimed at increasing per-student funding, raising teacher salaries, and improving special education services. This measure passed with near-unanimous support and is seen as a complement to the voucher program, addressing concerns about public school funding.
As Texas moves toward implementing one of the largest school voucher programs in the nation, the debate over public versus private education funding is expected to continue, with implications for students, families, and educators across the state.
