(Texas Scorecard) — Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick says House Speaker Dade Phelan intends to kill school choice legislation again in the next session.
In a post on X Patrick said “Renegade Dade Phelan clearly intends to work AGAINST school choice, again, with his Democrat Chairs and Democrat members behind him” after Phelan refused to sign his name on a letter of budget instructions to state agencies asking them to prepare for a school choice program to pass the legislature next session.
“15 state representatives have already lost their seats and 9 retired over school choice and impeachment. He doesn’t care about his Republican members or Republican voters who support school choice,” wrote Patrick.
“Traditionally, at the beginning of summer before an upcoming legislative session, the Texas Governor, Lt. Governor, and Speaker issue a joint letter with budget instructions to state agencies so they may prepare their legislative appropriation requests (LARs). Budgetary priorities are normally listed in the letter. For weeks this summer, Speaker Phelan sat on the letter Governor Abbott and I sent him for his signature. Rumor has it that the Speaker would not sign the letter because school choice was listed as a priority. Looks like the rumor was true.”
Patrick noted that he and Abbott sent their instructions without Phelan’s signature. Shortly after, Phelan sent his solo letter with school choice missing.
“Speaker Phelan would have lost his primary this year had he not been rescued by a significant number of Democrats that crossed over to vote for him. This is yet another confirmation that he will work against conservative legislative priorities this upcoming session,” Patrick continued.
Phelan fired back, claiming it was “a routine, technical letter to kick off the budget making process, it is not a bill or a law. Interim hearings are ongoing on all of these issues — including education — and more. The members of the Texas House will drive the budget process and priorities in the session. That is exactly as it has always worked and will continue to work in the Texas House.”
Observers say chances are slim, however, that Phelan will be at the reins of the House next session, as a majority of Republican members have already said they will not support a speaker that appoints Democrat chairs like Phelan.
State Reps. Tom Oliverson and Shelby Slawson have already announced plans to run for speaker for the next session.