Texas Senate Bill 2, a measure that will establish education savings accounts in the state, has been approved by the Senate and is now awaiting Gov. Greg Abbott’s signature. The program will allow parents to apply for an ESA worth $10,000 to pay for private school expenses. The program’s budget is set to be capped at $1 billion in 2027, but could potentially cost up to $4 billion per year by 2030.
Supporters, including Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, believe that the program will provide low-income families with more educational options for their children. Critics, however, argue that the plan undermines public education and sends taxpayer money to schools that do not have to follow the same regulations as public schools, including providing services to students with special needs.
Democrats have lamented the passage of the bill, viewing it as the first step toward defunding the state’s public school system. They have expressed concerns about the lack of private school options in high-poverty areas and the potential for online private schools to participate in the ESA program without restrictions.
With the bill’s approval, Democrats are considering potential retaliatory measures to block other proposed amendments to the Texas Constitution during this legislative session. This move could lead to a standoff between the minority party and the dominant Republican party in Texas. The outcome remains uncertain as both sides navigate the political landscape in the aftermath of the school choice legislation.
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