A major school choice proposal backed by Gov. Greg Abbott is set for debate on the floor of the Texas House this Wednesday, April 16.
The legislation—Senate Bill 2—advanced out of the House Public Education Committee on a 9-6 vote earlier this month and is now scheduled for full debate.
SB 2 would establish education savings accounts of up to $10,000 per student to help families cover private school tuition, textbooks, transportation, and other qualified expenses. Students with disabilities would be eligible for $11,500 annually, and homeschool families would receive $2,000 per child.
Lawmakers have set aside $1 billion for the 2026–27 school year, enough to fund up to 100,000 students out of the more than five million enrolled in Texas public schools.
The issue has been a central plank of Gov. Abbott’s agenda. He actively campaigned against incumbent Republicans last year who opposed similar measures.
“Texas is within reach of the largest school choice program launch in the nation,” Abbott said following the committee vote. “I look forward to its swift passage in the Texas House and signing this bill into law.”
Debate on the House floor is expected to be lengthy and contentious. Some Capitol sources have even speculated that Democrats could stage a walkout to break quorum in a bid to block the measure.
All eyes now turn to Wednesday, when a long day—and possibly night—of debate awaits.
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