Texas Legislature's Education Funding Future Uncertain with School Choice Programs in Limbo
The Texas House has approved a budget amendment to ban public funding for school choice programs, including voucher or Education Savings Account (ESA) programs. The amendment was proposed by Rep. Abel Herrero and signed onto by six members. Gov. Greg Abbott has made school choice his biggest issue this session, but the vote is more symbolic than anything as there is currently no money appropriated to school choice programs. The Senate has brought to the floor its school choice plan, Senate Bill 8, which would allow current public school students or those entering pre-kindergarten to access ESAs worth up to $8,000 per year.