Texas Takes a Step Towards School Choice and Voucher Bills

A bill in Texas that would create a program to help pay for private school, raise teacher salaries, and boost funding for public schools has advanced from a House panel, marking the first time in two decades that a voucher-like proposal has cleared this hurdle. The bill, which has faced opposition from Democrats and rural Republicans in the past, is expected to reach the House floor for a debate next week. If passed, Texas would become the 34th state to enact some form of subsidy for private-school tuition. Critics argue that such a plan would divert funds from public schools and into unaccountable private institutions.