Texas Senate Advances $1 Billion School Voucher Bill

Texas Senate Bill 2, a key initiative of Governor Greg Abbott, is currently under debate, aiming to establish a school choice program through taxpayer-funded 'education savings accounts' for private school tuition. If passed, the bill would create a $1 billion fund, providing $10,000 per student for private education, with additional funds for special education and homeschoolers. The proposal faces opposition in the Texas House, where a coalition of rural Republicans and Democrats has previously blocked similar measures. Supporters argue that the program prioritizes low-income families, while critics express concern over the potential diversion of funds from public schools. Meanwhile, in Tennessee, Governor Bill Lee's push for universal school vouchers faces internal opposition, as some legislators who benefited from dark money contributions voted against the measure. This highlights the ongoing national debate regarding school vouchers and their impact on public education funding.