A Public Education Bill Flounders
Greg Abbott wanted fanfare when he signed the voucher bill into law, but he has yet to show the same fervor for the companion piece of legislation that would actually fund Texas public schools
Flanked by supporters and Republican lawmakers, Greg Abbott signed the massive school voucher bill into law on Saturday. It was the final step in a long-sought process for the Texas Governor, who received millions in campaign donations from out-of-state voucher backers.
Across from the Governor’s mansions, organizers from the Texas AFL-CIO and the American Federation of Teachers unfurled a banner with a clear message: “Kids and Teachers over Billionaires.” The banner showed Abbott in front of a pile of money.
The school choice bill officially goes into effect on September 1. The bill would allow a student to receive $10,000 per year voucher, beginning with the 2026 school year. As the bill was moving through the legislature, it was discussed in tandem with another piece of legislation, House Bill 2. Speaker Dustin Burrows referred to the pieces of legislation as the “Texas two-step” at a conservative think-tank gathering back in February.
HB 2 would increase public school funding and teacher pay, while its counterpart would set up the education savings accounts (or vouchers). HB 2 passed the Texas House last month, with only 5 Texas Republicans voting against the $8 billion new investment in public schools.
But now HB 2 is languishing in a Texas Senate committee, and as of May 8 no hearing has been scheduled. With less than a month until the legislature ends, many public school advocates are demanding that the Texas Senate take up the other portion of the Texas two-step that was promised. Zeph Capo, the president of the Texas AFT released a statement blasting Republicans for keeping the public school funding bill floundering. “House Bill 2 isn’t everything we asked for, but without its basic allotment increase there’s no guarantee that educators and support staff will see a dime of the billions that lawmakers have promised to our schools,” he said.
“Teacher pay raises are desperately needed to retain qualified educators, but they alone won’t keep the lights on in Texas classrooms. The Senate must pass a robust school finance package before the clock runs out on this legislative session,” said Capo.
Abbott clearly wanted fanfare when he signed the voucher bill into law at the Governor’s mansion. But he has yet to show the same fervor for the companion piece of legislation that would actually fund Texas public schools – and the clock is ticking.
