Texas House Approves Legislation That May Establish A Private School Voucher Program

Texas lawmakers have taken a significant step toward the potential passage of Senate Bill 2, a measure that would create a statewide school voucher program. As reported by KHOU11, on April 17, the Texas House voted 85-63 to advance SB 2, with two Republicans joining Democrats in opposition. Governor Greg Abbott, a strong advocate for vouchers, hailed the vote as an “extraordinary victory.” Abbott added that he would “swiftly sign this bill into law”  if it passes the house and makes it to his desk, The Texas Tribune noted. 

Senate Bill 2 proposes the creation of Education Savings Accounts (ESAs), which would provide families with state funds to cover private school tuition or homeschooling costs. All Texas students would be eligible to apply for the ESA program, whether they are entering school for the first time, currently enrolled in public school, or already attending private school or homeschooling. The bill sets a $1 billion spending cap for its first two years, and participating families could receive up to $10,000 per student, with each student receiving a minimum of $2,000 annually in their ESA.

“Texas families are rejecting the status quo and calling for an education system that prioritizes their children’s success,” state Senator Brandon Creighton said in a press release published Jan. 24. “Senate Bill 2 places parents at the center of their child’s education, empowering them with the freedom to choose the educational path that works best for their families.”

The House still needs to hold a final vote to approve both the voucher and school spending bills, which received preliminary approval on Wednesday. After that, the legislation will return to the Senate, where both chambers will work to resolve differences in their program proposals.

While the program seems promising at surface level, Mark Jones, a political science professor, worries that the voucher initiative won’t benefit all Texans.

“Even if it passes, only an overwhelming majority of Texans will not benefit from it. Only a small share that win the lottery, which will literally be a lottery, and are in the prioritized categories, will have access to ESAs starting in the 2026-2027 school year,” he told KHOU11.

Several Democrats slammed the House for greenlighting vouchers, calling it a win for deep-pocketed interests over everyday Texans. They argued that the potential funding boost barely makes a dent in the budget holes and rising costs schools face after years of inflation.

Republicans insisted the bill would put low-income students and kids with disabilities first. But Democrats pushed back, pointing out that private schools face no admission requirements under the plan, leaving them free to turn away exactly the students the state claims to prioritize.

“This bill is everything that is wrong with politics,” Rep. Gina Hinojosa, D-Austin, told The Texas Tribune.

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