Fight over private school vouchers in Texas is ramping up

AUSTIN, Texas — State lawmakers heard from the public Monday as the push to get Gov. Greg Abbott’s priority legislation over the finish line next session takes shape. After the March primary, Abbott claimed he has the votes to pass private school vouchers next session. 

The House Committee on Public Education heard from a panel of out-of-state private school voucher stakeholders. 

“I urge policymakers to avoid including onerous regulations that drive away quality private schools,” said Dr. Patrick Wolf, a professor of education policy at the University of Arkansas. 

Some Republican lawmakers are once again pushing legislation to create an education savings account program which would allow parents to use public tax dollars to help pay for private schools. Opponents worry it would take away from public school funding.  

Last fall, Abbott refused to sign bills to increase school districts per-pupil funding without a voucher provision. 

“The basic allotment actually does not even represent the majority of funding that school systems receive,” said Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath. 

While hearing from Morath, one Republican representative claimed multiple streams of funding create an adequate amount for school districts. 

“It would be correct to say that we did have a significant increase in per-pupil spending,” said Rep. Brian Harrison, R-House District 10. 

Harrison claims the state can afford to divert dollars meant for public education to accounts which families can use for private school. But Democratic lawmakers argue that there is not an increase in funding when accounting for inflation. 

“The Legislative Budget Board shows that in inflation-adjusted dollars, funding has dropped $590 per student over the last 10 years,” said Rep. Gina Hinojosa, D-House District 49.  

Many members of the public reminded lawmakers that many school districts are facing a budget deficit and urged the state to do something about it. 

“The Legislature had a $30-plus billion budget surplus to try to restore the funding for these school districts, and yet they spent it on border protection, they spent it on the grid,” said Carl Jones with Grandparents for Public Schools. 

But public-school funding got caught in the crosshairs with the voucher push and both ultimately failed. That led Gov. Abbott to campaign against fellow Republicans who tanked his voucher plan. He was largely successful and says he now has the votes to pass voucher legislation next year. Some primary winners still have to face Democrats in the November election, but most are in safe GOP districts.

“A lot of parents want to see their kids go to schools that align with their family values,” said Mary Elizabeth Castle with Texas Values.  

There was no formal mention of an educational savings account bill, but such legislation is expected to be introduced next session, which begins in January.