AUSTIN, Texas — Gov. Greg Abbott told an audience of private and home school families on Tuesday that they will play a huge role in the success of a school voucher bill if they lobby harder than the opposition.
“I can roll to the Capitol in less than five minutes. I know that you can get there also,” said Abbott.
Conversely, Rep. Gene Wu, the chair of the Texas House Democratic Caucus, believes it will be average Texas families that kill what he calls a scam.
“If Texans say this is wrong, speak up. Call your representatives every day until they get the message,” said Wu.
With Speaker Dustin Burrows—who has been vocal about his support for school vouchers—leading the House this session, Abbott sees a future where public tax dollars go toward funding education savings accounts for families to use for private schools.
“We have a speaker for the first time who’s supporting school choice,” said Abbott.
Opponents to vouchers are concerned the legislation will drain money away from public schools, but Burrows believes both systems will be funded and improved by a voucher program.
“Competition does make everything stronger and better. And this will not only help parents, but it will also make public education stronger because of competition in it,” said Burrows.
While Republicans made their case Tuesday, Democrats argued against vouchers during a House Committee on Public Education hearing.
“It’s not so much school choice as it is the school’s choice,” said Rep. James Talarico, D-Austin.
Students can only receive a voucher if they are accepted to a private school, putting a large focus on who vouchers will serve.
“Any family is eligible to apply, but it is prioritized based upon learning needs and then family income,” said Rep. Brad Buckley, R-Salado.
“What I’m worried about is that the money is going to cascade to the top. That students who we say we are prioritizing actually can’t get admitted,” said Talarico.
Felicia Martin with Texas Freedom Network thinks underrepresented students will be more at risk for discrimination from private schools with this voucher bill.
“Who is getting the worst of this? Which would be students who have learning disabilities, LGBTQIA families who could be discriminated against or turned away. Black and brown communities who have typically been under, under resourced and under funded,” said Martin.
There are currently 76 Republicans listed as co-signers on the House voucher bill, which would be enough votes to pass, but Democrats suggest support could wane as the bill moves through the political process.
