The Texas Legislature adjourned its fourth special session without passing a bill on school choice, which Gov. Greg Abbott has highlighted as a priority since the first special session.
A previous education spending bill would have established an education savings account. However, this language was removed through an amendment voted on by House representatives, including 21 Republicans, last month, as reported by The Dallas Express.
Rep. John Raney (R-Bryan) brought forth the amendment, passed by a vote of 84-63, claiming that a school choice bill is “bad public policy.”
“I hope and pray that the governor calls us back and separates these issues, so we can make sure we give the teachers the pay raises they need,” Raney added, as reported by The Dallas Express.
School choice has long been a priority for Abbott, stating in a paper he wrote before the fourth special session that this initiative would “empower Texas parents to choose the best education pathway for their child.”
Following the passing of Raney’s amendment, Abbott voiced his support for the 63 lawmakers who voted against the removal of the language, adding that he is “[p]roud to endorse 58 Texas House Republicans for re-election in 2024.”
“I encourage Texans to join me in supporting these strong conservatives so we can deliver school choice for every family in Texas,” wrote Abbott in a social media post.
Recent polling numbers indicate that many Texans support school choice, with 59% of survey respondents with a child under 18 living in the home stating that they would favor this legislation, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
Additionally, 47% of Texan voters who responded to the survey said they would favor “tax-funded school vouchers that can be used to pay for their child to attend a private or religious school.” In comparison, 28% of the respondents stated they would be against the legislation.
Although lawmakers were unable to pass a school choice bill, the two chambers of the Texas legislature did pass Senate Bill 4, which makes unlawful entry into the state a crime.
Senate Bill 4 is expected to be signed into law by Abbott but remains controversial, as some like Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa have called the potential law “anti-migrant, dangerous and unconstitutional.”
“This will not fix the real security issues along the southern border. This will not keep Texans safe. This will do nothing but rip families apart and overcrowd our prisons – which is what Texas Republicans do best,” stated Hinojosa.
Rep. David Spiller (R-Jacksboro) expressed a different opinion and said such criticisms are false.
“I want to make clear: This is not a round everybody up who’s here illegally and prosecute them. That is not what this law is about. It wasn’t before. It isn’t now,” Spiller said, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
As Texas lawmakers await the decision on whether a fifth special session will be called, Abbott has given little indication about his next move.
After skydiving with World War II veteran Al Blaschke, Abbott only stated that Texans would have to “stay tuned” about his upcoming decision.