Lawmakers in Texas have rejected a bill that proposed taxpayer subsidies for students to attend private schools. This measure was part of a larger bill that also included increased funding for public schools and teacher pay raises. However, opponents of the taxpayer-financed savings accounts were successful in removing them from the house bill, marking a legislative victory that has been repeated for years in the Texas House.
The debate on this issue took place between Republican lawmakers, with some rural Republicans joining Democrats to block the measure. The proposed measure would have allowed eligible students to receive up to $10,000 per year to attend private schools, with a focus on lower-income students and those with disabilities. While the bill also included additional funding for teacher pay raises and school districts, it remains uncertain whether the rest of the measure will be approved by the senate. Governor Abbott has indicated that if education savings accounts don’t pass, he will call lawmakers back in December, January, and February.
The rejection of the bill represents a significant setback for proponents of taxpayer-funded subsidies for private school students, as it indicates a lack of support from the Texas House. However, the future of additional funding for teacher pay raises and school districts remains uncertain, with the possibility of the issue being revisited by lawmakers in the coming months. Governor Abbott’s willingness to call lawmakers back into session if necessary underscores the importance of the education funding debate in Texas.
