Texas Lawmakers Debate $8 Billion for Public Schools and Voucher-Like Program

AUSTIN — Debate was expected to go late into the night Wednesday as lawmakers in the Texas House consider $8 billion for public schools and creating a voucher-like program.

House Speaker Dustin Burrows called the two bills the “Texas Two Step” to improve education.

School Finance Bill Passed

First up was the school finance bill that aims to provide “landmark funding for Texas public schools,” said Rep. Brad Buckley, R-Salado, who authored House Bill 2. It passed overwhelmingly Wednesday afternoon, with four Republicans voting against it.

“This is more money for Texas public education than any other piece of legislation in the history of the state,” Buckley said during the debate.

Key Provisions of the Bill

The bill increases the basic per-student funding from $6,160 to $6,555. At least $1 billion of funding is dedicated to raising teacher salaries, which could increase between $3,500 and $7,000, Buckley said.

During the debate, Democrats called for more money to make up for what they see as lagging shortfalls.

The basic allotment now is the same as it was in 2019. It would have to be more than $1,000 higher to have the same buying power today.

Education Savings Account Program

A plan to raise the figure last session died after Gov. Greg Abbott tied the proposal’s fate to a failed school-choice proposal. His latest effort to pass an education savings account goes before the House in a separate bill later Wednesday.

The finance bill “does not get us out of that hole that our schools are in since 2019,” Rep. James Talarico, D-Austin, said during debate. “The comptroller says it would take $15 billion to catch our schools up to 2019 funding levels.”

That funding hole triggered tough decisions in North Texas schools. Local trustees have shuttered campuses, reduced staff positions and eliminated programs for students.

Impact on North Texas Schools

Minami Krembs graduated from Frisco ISD two years ago and came to the Capitol Wednesday in support of public schools. She knows that people consider Frisco a wealthy school district — but like many in North Texas, it has faced budget shortfalls.

When Frisco trustees approved last year’s budget, they had to dip into their rainy day fund to afford small raises for teachers.

Krembs was in orchestra as a Frisco student, so she was heartbroken to learn the district planned to phase out its harp program as a result of financial strain.

“That’s going to take away opportunities for students,” Krembs said. “That’s a smaller thing, but it’s a harbinger of things to come.”

Debate Over Education Savings Accounts

Lawmakers were bracing for a contentious debate over education savings accounts, or ESAs. It marks the best chance Republicans have had to clear a final hurdle to deliver Abbott a signature legislative victory on what has been his top policy priority in recent years.

Abbott has said he finally has the votes to pass the measure in the House, which has historically blocked anything resembling a school voucher.

President Donald Trump, who is pushing school choice efforts nationally, called Abbott on Wednesday morning to throw his support behind Texas’ efforts.

Protesters and Supporters

Protesters on Wednesday compared it to a welfare program for the wealthy because, in other states, many people who have used school-choice dollars were already sending their children to private schools.

Ahead of the debate, a wave of teachers, parents and advocates gathered in the Capitol dome to protest the bill, saying the measure would siphon money away from public campuses that serve the vast majority of the state’s children.

“Fund our schools,” they chanted. “No to vouchers.”

Proponents say that ESAs will give low-income families access to private education that they would not be able to seek without government assistance.

Conclusion

The debate over education savings accounts and the school finance bill is a critical issue for the future of Texas public schools. While some lawmakers and supporters see the ESA program as a way to provide more choices for low-income families, others argue that it will siphon money away from public schools and exacerbate existing funding shortfalls.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the education savings account program?

The education savings account program, or ESA, is a proposal that would allow parents to seek $10,000 in state funds on behalf of their school-age children to apply to private school expenses, such as tuition, uniforms, and instructional materials.

Who would be eligible for the ESA program?

Access to the program would be open to all Texas children except those who are undocumented immigrants. The bill would create a tiered access lottery prioritizing children with disabilities and those from low-income families.

How much funding is dedicated to raising teacher salaries?

At least $1 billion of funding is dedicated to raising teacher salaries, which could increase between $3,500 and $7,000.

What is the current state of funding for Texas public schools?

The basic allotment now is the same as it was in 2019, and it would have to be more than $1,000 higher to have the same buying power today. The comptroller says it would take $15 billion to catch schools up to 2019 funding levels.