In a rescheduled and highly charged session on Thursday, the Texas House Public Education Committee tackled two of the most contentious education issues in the state—public school funding and school choice. The discussions were anything but smooth, as committee members fiercely debated the implications of House Bill 2 (HB 2) and Senate Bill 2 (SB 2).
Transparency Concerns Kick Off the Meeting
Before diving into legislation, the committee found itself in an argument over transparency. There was no official state livestream of the meeting, which raised concerns among members, particularly Rep. James Talarico (D-Austin), who criticized the lack of full public access to the proceedings. Instead, only select clips were being distributed to the media.
Chairman Brad Buckley (R-Salado) defended the setup, stating that the meeting was being conducted according to House policies and that accredited media were present to report on the event. He also clarified that the hearing was classified as a “formal meeting” rather than a “public hearing,” which altered the transparency requirements.
Public School Funding: A Modest Increase
The first bill under review was a revised version of HB 2, part of the broader “Texas Two Step” education package. The most notable change? An increase in the per-student funding baseline from $6,160 to $6,555.
While the adjustment marks progress, critics argue that it falls short of addressing the long-term underfunding of Texas public schools. Nonetheless, the bill passed with 13 votes in favor and 2 against—a relatively smooth approval compared to what came next.
The School Choice Battle: Senate Bill 2 Under Fire
Much of the session’s energy was spent debating SB 2, which centers on expanding school choice through education savings accounts (ESA). These accounts would allow parents to use public funds for private or homeschooling expenses.
The committee substitute to SB 2 introduced some significant revisions:
Eligibility limited to U.S. citizens
Funding tied to 85% of the statewide average per-student allocation
A tiered priority system for applicants when demand exceeds available funding
Chairman Buckley reminded the committee that the bill’s core structure had already been discussed extensively in a March 11 hearing that lasted over 21 hours. Yet, that didn’t stop lawmakers from fiercely debating its merits.
Elon Musk Enters the Debate?
Rep. James Talarico, a vocal critic of school choice, took a creative approach by invoking Elon Musk in a hypothetical scenario.
“It was just announced that Elon has fathered his 14th child… Eight of them are under school age,” Talarico quipped, questioning how eligibility rules would apply in extreme cases.
Buckley dismissed the analogy, pointing out that while Musk is an easy target, the bill is aimed at real families struggling to access quality education.
Supporters vs. Opponents: The Divide Grows
The ESA program’s long-term impact, accountability, and fairness dominated the discussion. Opponents worry about diverting money from public schools, while supporters argue that ESAs empower parents, especially those in low-income communities, to choose better educational opportunities for their children.
Rep. James Frank (R-Wichita Falls) praised the revisions, particularly the income-based prioritization and funding cap, stating:
“I love the committee substitute... We really do everything that we can to make sure that those who want access to this can get it.”
What’s Next?
After nearly three hours of intense debate, the committee voted 9-6 to advance SB 2 to the full House.
Gov. Greg Abbott, who has made school choice his top priority this session, wasted no time in applauding the decision. He expressed confidence in the bill’s passage through the House and reaffirmed his commitment to signing it into law.
Final Thoughts: A Debate That’s Far from Over
With emotions running high and deep political divides, Texas’ education battle is just getting started. While public school funding saw a modest boost, the fight over school choice is proving to be a defining issue in the state’s education policy.
