Texas Introduces Major Education Funding Bills

In Texas, two education bills, House Bill 2 and House Bill 3, have been introduced to increase funding for public schools and establish an education savings account program for private schooling, respectively. HB 2 proposes boosting public school budgets and teacher pay, while HB 3 offers families vouchers covering 85% of the funding public schools receive, prioritizing special needs and low-income students. Concurrently, similar voucher programs are advancing in other states, such as Idaho, where a $50 million proposal for alternative schooling is awaiting the governor’s approval. The South Carolina House is pushing a voucher program facing constitutional challenges regarding its funding sources. Meanwhile, Georgia's voucher program is under scrutiny for potentially disadvantaging rural and low-income families. These legislative efforts reflect a broader national debate on the role of public funds in supporting private education and the potential impact on public school systems.