Senate Bill 2, a school voucher program with a $1 billion fund, faces a different battle in the Texas House.
Senate Bill 2, championed by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, proposes a sweeping change to Texas education, establishing a $1 billion fund for education savings accounts known as school vouchers. This program would allow all Texas school-age children to apply for a portion of public education funding to be used towards certified private schools, homeschooling, or special education expenses.
The bill outlines a tiered access system, prioritizing low-income families and special education students if the demand for education savings accounts exceeds the allocated funding. Eligible students would receive varying amounts based on their needs: $10,000 for students attending certified private schools, $11,500 for special education students, and $2,000 for homeschooling. The bill defines low-income families as those earning five times the federal poverty level, approximately $160,000 annually for a family of four. The $800 million allocated for this priority group would be followed by $200 million available to all income levels, including those already enrolled in private schools. This proposal has encountered strong partisan support in the Senate, where Republicans hold a dominant majority. While Senate passage is anticipated, the House presents a more complex landscape. Previous attempts at similar legislation have faced defeat due to opposition from a coalition of Democrats and rural Republicans concerned about the use of taxpayer funds for private education. However, the political climate has shifted with the departure of many House Republicans who previously opposed school choice. The influence of powerful conservative groups actively lobbying for the bill's passage, coupled with Gov. Greg Abbott's endorsement, has further fueled its potential success
SCHOOL CHOICE EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNTS TEXAS LEGISLATURE PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING POLITICAL DIVIDE
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