After sixteen months of bruising battles, behind-closed-doors negotiations, and a Republican primary turned political bloodbath, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott finally secured his long-sought education savings account (ESA) bill. The passage of SB 2 in the Texas House by a vote of 86 to 63 marks not just a policy win, but a reshaping of political power in Austin with effects that will echo into 2026 and beyond.
Abbott’s Gamble Pays Off
Governor Abbott’s obsession with school choice wasn’t new. He previewed his ambitions during his 2022 re-election campaign, promising a “universal” ESA program akin to those in Arizona and Iowa. But delivering on that promise took more than speeches — it took political warfare.
What happened between that campaign pledge and last week’s vote was a methodical and ruthless display of political will. Backed by $12 million — largely from megadonor Jeff Yass — and wielding the national clout of former President Donald Trump, Abbott turned Texas’s House into a proving ground for conservative orthodoxy on education.
Those standing in his way? Many are now gone. Retirements, electoral defeats, or conversions under pressure thinned the ranks of ESA skeptics. The governor didn’t just push a policy; he reshaped the legislative chamber to make sure that, eventually, he would win.
From Resistance to Reluctant Support
Rural Republicans were the final dominoes. Long wary of diverting funds from public schools in areas where alternatives barely exist, they negotiated a face-saving compromise: tweaks to protect rural schools in exchange for their support — or at least, a soft surrender.
State Rep. Drew Darby (R-San Angelo) put it plainly: “The bill would pass with or without our support.” His choice? Stay in the fight and shape it, or risk irrelevance.
Freshman Rep. Jeff Barry (R-Pearland) echoed that sentiment, pointing out that a “no” vote would have endangered his bills and put him in the crosshairs of every influential Republican powerbroker. Whether threats were direct or implied, the pressure was undeniable.
And when Donald Trump himself called into a Republican caucus meeting on the morning of the vote, any remaining resistance collapsed. Notably, Trump congratulated “Charles Burrows” — a gaffe referring to Speaker Dade Phelan’s successor, Dustin Burrows — but the message was clear: pass the bill, or face the wrath.
The Speaker’s High-Stakes Balancing Act
Speaker Burrows, now fully in control of a chamber reshaped by both Abbott and Trump, emerged with his own win. While former Speaker Phelan struggled to get ESA bills through, Burrows not only shepherded SB 2 to passage — he voted for it himself.
This move solidified his support among Republicans still smarting from the chaotic 2024 primaries and reaffirmed his loyalty to the governor’s agenda. After fending off a motion to vacate from the far-right Rep. Brian Harrison, Burrows appears secure — at least for now.
But he walks a tightrope. His power comes from keeping the fragile coalition of Republicans and some Democrats stable. With 2026 on the horizon, Abbott’s $70 million war chest is a looming reminder of what happens to lawmakers who cross him.
What Comes Next?
Abbott’s ESA bill will soon be law. But the fight is far from over.
Implementation now falls to the next comptroller, with incumbent Glenn Hegar leaving to run the Texas A&M University System. Any stumbles could be used by Democrats to fire up their base — especially in suburban and urban districts wary of school vouchers.
Meanwhile, the political realignment of the House continues. Burrows must navigate the interests of both Democrats and hard-right Republicans on future issues — especially bail reform, which will require Democratic votes to pass as a constitutional amendment.
It’s a game of shifting alliances. Democrats who helped elect Burrows speaker will expect influence. Republicans who watched colleagues fall to Abbott’s political machine will be less eager to fight unpopular fights without serious backing.
Conclusion: One War Won, But Peace Is Fragile
Abbott’s triumph on ESAs is a masterclass in political persistence and pressure. He spent big, played hardball, and ultimately bent the House to his will. But victory has a cost, and the aftershocks will shape Texas politics for years.
The House is now a battlefield of bruised egos, wary alliances, and untested loyalty. For Speaker Burrows, his next challenge is not passing Abbott’s agenda — it’s keeping his chamber from splintering under the weight of it.
One chapter is closed. The next — full of budget fights, power plays, and potential backlash — is just beginning.
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