The Texas Senate has passed Senate Bill (SB) 1, a piece of legislation that would establish a state voucher program allowing parents in Texas to use taxpayer dollars for private education. The bill, authored by State Sen. Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe), aims to give parents more control over their children's education. However, it is expected to face challenges in the Texas House of Representatives.
"After over 8 hours of debate, the Texas Senate passed SB 1, providing universal school choice to Texas students," Creighton stated. "This legislation empowers parents and unleashes the potential of Texas education."
If the bill passes the House and is signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott, public school students who transfer to private schools would have education savings accounts created in their names. These accounts would be funded with $8,000 of taxpayer money, which parents can use to cover expenses such as uniforms, textbooks, and tutoring. The measure passed in the Senate with a vote of 18-13.
In addition to SB 1, the Senate also approved another bill authored by Creighton, SB 2. This bill would allocate $5.2 billion to school districts to assist with teacher raises and rising costs. It also includes an increase in the basic allotment, or the amount of money schools receive per student, from $6,160 to $6,235. Furthermore, SB 2 includes a one-time pay bonus for teachers. Those in districts educating less than 5,000 students would receive a $10,000 payment, while those in districts with more than 5,000 students would receive a $3,000 payment.
Governor Greg Abbott has prioritized education freedom in the current special session of the 88th Texas Legislature, which began on October 9th. He stated, "Together, we will chart a brighter future for all Texas children by empowering parents to choose the best education option for their child." The passage of SB 1 and SB 2 aligns with this goal and reflects the ongoing efforts to improve education in Texas.