In a significant development in Texas politics, the state’s House of Representatives has rejected a key provision for taxpayer-financed education savings accounts, casting uncertainty over additional funding for public schools and teacher pay raises.
The nearly 200-page bill, which proposed substantial changes to Texas’ education system, faced a major roadblock in the House. The rejection of the bill, primarily focused on the controversial education savings accounts, has raised questions about the future of additional school funding and teacher compensation in the state.
The Texas Senate passed two separate education bills last week, but their fate now seems uncertain with the House’s recent decision. The rejected policy included a provision to provide $10,000 per student per year for attending private or religious schools, with lower-income and disabled students being given priority. Additionally, the measure promised a $4,000 bonus for full-time educators and subsequent pay raises, as well as an increase in the amount school districts receive per student, from $6,160 to $6,700.
The debate on this bill brought to light divisions within the Republican Party. 21 Republicans joined all 63 Democrats in voting against the policy. Representative Glenn Rogers, R-Graford, expressed concerns about the use of taxpayer dollars for private schools without accountability, stating, “I have nothing against private schools or home schools. I just have a problem with taking taxpayer dollars and sending them to private schools with no accountability, and basically, there’s only two ways you can ultimately have a voucher system. Either defund public schools or you raise taxes.” On the other hand, Representative Brian Harrison, R-Waxahachie, argued for the policy, citing polls that show a majority of Texans, particularly parents, support such educational choices for their children.
This rejection is a significant political defeat for Governor Greg Abbott, who has been a staunch advocate for education savings accounts throughout the year. He believes that most Texans, including Republicans in the House, support this initiative. In response to the bill’s setback, Abbott stated, “I will continue advancing school choice in the Texas Legislature and at the ballot box, and will maintain the fight for parent empowerment until all parents can choose the best education path for their child.” He also hinted at a possible fifth special session in December and additional sessions in January and February if necessary to pass the school choice policy.
The governor’s determination to push for this policy comes at a time when lawmakers are preparing for primaries in March and would prefer to be in their home districts for campaigning rather than at the Texas Capitol. This development has set the stage for further political maneuvers and debates around education policy in Texas.
