Texas Senate Prepares to Send Historic School Choice Bill to Governor Abbott’s Desk
Statements from Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, Senator Brandon Creighton, and Speaker Dustin Burrows suggest the Texas Senate may officially concur with the lower chamber’s newly passed school choice bill (SB2) next week. In so doing, the Texas Senate, following the House’s historic vote early Thursday morning, would send legislation creating the nation’s largest day-one school choice program to Governor Abbott’s desk for a guaranteed signature.
Statement from Tommy Schultz, CEO, American Federation for Children:
“The wait is over – school choice is coming to Texas. Parents’ and students’ thunderous applause is echoing across the Lone Star State as legislation establishing the nation’s largest day-one school choice program will soon head to Governor Greg Abbott’s desk.
“We thank Texas leaders including Governor Greg Abbott, Lt. Governor Dan Patrick, Speaker Dustin Burrows, Chairman Brandon Creighton, Chairman Brad Buckley, and other school choice champions for their wisdom, foresight, and perseverance leading to SB 2’s passage in the Texas House Thursday. On Governor Abbott’s guaranteed signature, parents in Texas will be empowered to exercise the education freedom they deserve.”
Details:
- All six million Texas K-12 students would be eligible to apply.
- ESA funds would cover a variety of educational expenses including tuition at a non-public school, tutoring, extracurricular activities, transportation, special needs therapies, and more.
- Students with disabilities and students from low- or middle-income families would be first in line if demand exceeds available funding.
- Participating schools and families would remain protected from burdensome regulations affecting curriculum, admissions, and other matters.
About AFC:
The American Federation for Children is the nation’s largest school choice advocacy organization and the most successful force for education freedom in America, passing over 200 laws across 31 states throughout our history. Our affiliated Super PAC, AFC Victory Fund, is the only nationwide Super PAC focused on advancing school choice.
