The Texas Senate Committee on Education K-16 has advanced a controversial school choice bill, Senate Bill 2 (SB 2), after hours of testimony and debate. The bill, authored by Sen. Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe), proposes a “fully universal” education savings account (ESA) program, allowing all Texas parents to apply for funds to send their children to private or alternative schools.
The hearing on Tuesday featured more than six hours of testimony from lawmakers, experts, and members of the public. Creighton emphasized that this effort is not new, pointing out that the Senate passed similar legislation four times in 2023, though it ultimately failed to become law.
Financial Concerns Take Center Stage
One of the biggest points of contention was the fiscal impact of SB 2. The bill initially sets aside $1 billion for ESAs but could expand to nearly $4 billion by 2030. Some lawmakers, like Sen. Jose Menendez (D-San Antonio), questioned the state’s financial priorities.
“My concern is that we're setting aside a billion dollars for this new education savings voucher, but I haven't seen the same level of investment in our public schools,” Menendez stated, warning that the plan could tilt funding away from traditional schools.
However, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick dismissed concerns over the financial burden, calling the fiscal note “faulty.” Meanwhile, Nathan Cunneen of the American Federation for Children argued that ESAs wouldn’t harm public schools but rather “increase competition” and improve education outcomes.
Party-Line Vote Moves Bill Forward
After extensive testimony, the committee voted 9-2 along party lines to advance SB 2, with Democrats Sen. Royce West (D-Dallas) and Menendez opposing the measure. The bill now heads to the full Senate for debate, where Lt. Gov. Patrick has signaled it will be treated as an emergency item during the 89th Legislative Session—a sign of strong Republican support.
As Texas lawmakers continue the school choice fight, the debate is far from over. Supporters claim SB 2 will empower parents, while critics worry about draining resources from public schools. The coming weeks will determine whether the bill gains enough momentum to pass both chambers and reach Gov. Greg Abbott's desk.