Texas Senate Approves $1 Billion 'School Choice' Bill

The Texas Senate has given initial approval to Senate Bill 2, a school choice proposal that would allocate $1 billion in taxpayer funds for private school education through education savings accounts (ESAs). The bill, which passed 19-12 along party lines, would provide $10,000 per student for private schooling and $2,000 for homeschoolers, with special education students receiving up to $11,500. Democratic senators expressed concerns that the bill could undermine public schools and fail to prioritize low-income students in underperforming districts. Despite the opposition, supporters, including the bill's author Sen. Brandon Creighton, argued that the initiative aims to help students who need assistance the most. The measure now awaits a final vote in the Senate before moving to the House, which has previously blocked similar proposals. Proponents believe there is now sufficient support in the House to advance education savings accounts this year, following Governor Greg Abbott's declaration of vouchers as an emergency item.