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In a momentous vote Thursday, the Texas House gave final approval to a controversial $1 billion private school voucher program, marking the first time in nearly 70 years the chamber has endorsed the use of public funds for private education. The approval of Senate Bill 2 — by a vote of 86-61 — represents a major legislative win for Gov. Greg Abbott and a turning point in Texas’ long-running debate over school choice.
All Democrats present opposed the bill, joined by just two Republicans — a stark shift from past sessions, where bipartisan resistance consistently blocked similar proposals. This time, the governor’s full-court press appears to have paid off. Abbott, who made vouchers his top legislative priority and targeted anti-voucher Republicans in last year’s primaries, celebrated the outcome, calling it an “extraordinary victory for thousands of parents” and promising to swiftly sign the bill once it reaches his desk.
The voucher plan would create education savings accounts funded with taxpayer dollars, allowing eligible families to use state money — potentially up to $10,000 per student — to pay for private school tuition, transportation, textbooks, and other related costs. The amount of funding per student would fluctuate with changes to public school funding levels.
Big Changes, Bigger Questions
If demand exceeds the program’s capacity, priority would be given to students with disabilities and lower-income families — though, notably, private schools would retain the right to admit or deny students at their discretion.
The bill also contains controversial restrictions, including a provision that bars undocumented students from participating. Critics raised concerns over who would verify citizenship status and how families’ privacy would be protected. The legislation does not specify what documentation would be required.
Democrats slammed the bill as inequitable and accused lawmakers of bowing to political donors and special interests.
“This bill is everything that is wrong with politics,” said Rep. Gina Hinojosa, D-Austin, during debate.
Attempts by Democrats to add safeguards or prioritize underserved students were roundly defeated. One failed amendment by Rep. Harold Dutton Jr., D-Houston, would have given more money to lower-income families, arguing that $10,000 won’t cover tuition at most Texas private schools — which average over $11,000 a year.
“If you're in a 12-foot hole and somebody sends you a 10-foot rope, that's not much of an option,” Dutton said.
Vouchers Paired with Boosted Public School Funding
SB 2 was passed just hours after the House approved a separate $7.7 billion school funding package — House Bill 2 — in a near-unanimous 142-5 vote. That bill would increase the state’s basic allotment from $6,160 to $6,555 per student, automatically tying future increases to property value growth. A portion of that increase would be earmarked for teacher raises, with higher pay for experienced educators.
HB 2 also includes reforms to special education funding, moving from a one-size-fits-all model to one that accounts for each student’s specific needs — a change many advocates have long called for. Additionally, it would limit uncertified teachers from leading core classes and crack down on mismanagement in charter schools.
Still, Democrats and education groups argue the funding increase is not nearly enough to address the financial crises many school districts are facing, especially after years of inflation, teacher shortages, and enrollment challenges. They also criticized the Legislature’s delay in delivering the funding — much of which was held back in 2023, contingent on the passage of vouchers.
Vouchers Face Final Hurdles
The Senate has already passed its own version of the voucher proposal. Now, the two chambers must reconcile the differences in a closed-door conference committee. Among the issues on the table: how much each student should receive, how to prioritize applicants, and how to accommodate students with disabilities.
Lawmakers also tweaked SB 2 late in the process. One change limits the amount of voucher funding that can go to wealthier families — defined as earning more than $156,000 for a family of four — to no more than 20% of the program's budget annually. Another provision requires private schools to have existed for at least two years to participate.
The final details will likely be ironed out behind closed doors, but if both chambers agree, Texas will soon join the growing list of Republican-led states that have embraced publicly funded school choice.
What’s Next
Both SB 2 and HB 2 now head to the Senate for further consideration. While the Senate has generally supported the concept of vouchers, some top lawmakers have been hesitant to boost the base funding for public schools, preferring instead targeted investments in teacher pay and school safety.
Still, with momentum firmly on their side, Abbott and his allies appear closer than ever to enacting a policy that once seemed politically out of reach in Texas.
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