The state of public education in Texas may never be the same following the current state legislative session. Last Thursday, the Texas House of Representatives passed their school voucher proposal, Senate Bill 2, in an 86-61 vote. This bill brings the State of Texas closer than ever to providing public-backed funding for families looking to send their children to private schools — one of Governor Greg Abbott’s champion agenda items.
In previous legislative sessions, Abbott has attempted to push through a school voucher bill, although his efforts have been largely unsuccessful. In years past, strong coalitions of state Democrats and Republicans have thwarted any attempt to create school voucher programs in Texas.
That is, until this legislative session. Newly elected House and Senate Republicans — handpicked and endorsed by Abbott in the most recent election cycle — joined the rank and file of the party, voting to pass SB2 alongside a nearly $8 billion public education funding bill. While additional funding for public education is essential, SB2 threatens the future and well-being of public education in Texas.
Allocating this much-needed funding for school voucher programs will bleed the budgets of public school districts dry. Several San Antonio school districts operating on multimillion-dollar budget deficits have seen their state funding stagnate. Should their funding begin to decrease, these districts anticipate implementing cost-saving measures — including increased classroom sizes and campus closures — which will be detrimental to the quality of education Texas school children receive.
Abbott’s voucher bill, which he strong armed through the Texas legislature, does not serve Texans seeking a quality education from their public school. School districts across the state could see declined enrollment rates and reduced budgets from the state long term. Regardless of the $8 billion funding bill, Abbott’s school voucher pet project will be detrimental to the public education system in Texas.
