Texas House strips private school vouchers from education bill

AUSTIN, Texas — In a historic debate Friday, rural Republicans once again joined Democrats to strip a voucher-like component out of a sweeping education bill.

“We support our public schools. We support public education. Having a new entitlement program worth millions of dollars is not sustainable,” said Rep. Justin Holland, R-Rockwall.

Rep. John Raney, R-College Station, offered the amendment that effectively gutted the bill of its signature provision. He said in his six terms, he’s never changed a colleague’s bill. 

“Expanding government choice programs for a few without accountability of this code undermines our constitutional duty to educate and protect,” he said during debate on his amendment. 

The plan would have created education savings accounts that would let students who exit the state’s public schools to get $10,500 every year to attend private school. Bill author Brad Buckley, R-Killeen, said it’s a necessary option for students struggling in the public school system.

“Is there a place for parents that have exhausted all other options that aren’t blessed with the finances or time to pick up and move?” he asked his colleagues as he laid out the bill. 

But 21 Republicans joined all Democrats to strip the voucher amendment arguing they don’t want public tax dollars taken away from public schools. 

The House ended debate on the bill Friday, which also includes teacher pay raises and a boost in per student funding. Since Gov. Abbott said he would not sign a bill that does not include vouchers, it appears both issues are dead for now. 

“It would be nice if we could vote on a bill straight up for teacher pay raises and accountability for testing reforms,” Rep. Holland said. 

Gov. Abbott also vowed to go after Republicans who voted against vouchers. The Texas Senate passed its own version of a voucher bill. They also separately passed a teacher pay raise bill. It’s unclear what lawmakers will get done on education in the few weeks left of the fourth special session or if Gov. Abbott will call them back for a fifth.