Texas House Committee to Discuss School Vouchers
The Texas House Committee on Public Education is set to discuss a highly anticipated bill this week, which has been referred to as "school choice" or "education savings accounts" by the governor. This bill would allocate public funds to send some Texas students to private schools or cover other education-related expenses.
What to Expect from the Hearing
The Senate has already passed its version of the bill, and the House hearing on Tuesday is expected to draw a large crowd and lengthy debate from both sides of the issue during the public comment period. Blaise Gainey, a statehouse reporter for the Texas Newsroom, expects the meeting to be packed, with a rally hosted by the Texas Freedom Network outside the Capitol on the same day.
Potential Outcome of the Hearing
Newly elected House Speaker, Dustin Burrows, has publicly committed to passing this bill. However, historically, there has been reluctance in the lower chamber to do so, with rural Republicans siding with Democrats to thwart previous efforts. Gainey does not expect a decision on the bill by the end of the meeting on Tuesday, and it is possible that the committee may not vote on it until Thursday.
Key Differences Between the House and Senate Versions
The House version of the bill differs from the Senate version, with a staggered approach to allocating education savings accounts. Priority is given to students with disabilities, followed by those with low income, and eventually opening up to all students. The funding mechanism also differs, with the House version providing a percentage of what students would receive if they were attending public school.
How Funding Works
Under the House version, students would receive 85% of the funding they would get if they were attending public school, with students with disabilities eligible for up to $30,000 per year. However, Gainey notes that it is not straightforward to compare the funding between the two versions, as it depends on the individual student.
Next Steps
If the committee does not vote on the bill on Tuesday, members may choose to do so on Thursday, which would clear the way for the full House to vote on the legislation next week. This would allow them to pass both the school funding and school choice bills together.
Conclusion
The discussion around school vouchers is a contentious issue, with both sides passionately arguing their points. As the Texas House Committee on Public Education prepares to discuss the bill, it remains to be seen how it will fare in the House. With the potential for lengthy debate and a packed meeting, it is clear that this issue will continue to be a major point of discussion in the coming weeks. Ultimately, the outcome of this bill will have a significant impact on the education system in Texas, and it is essential to follow the developments closely.
