As Texas House members opened debate on a school voucher proposal Tuesday, Governor Greg Abbott expressed newfound confidence that his long-sought initiative would finally clear the legislative hurdle where it has repeatedly stalled. Unlike previous sessions—when a bipartisan coalition of Democrats and rural Republicans blocked similar efforts—the governor now has an ally in newly appointed House Speaker Dustin Burrows.
“This time, the difference is leadership,” Abbott told supporters in Austin, as reported by the Houston Chronicle. “For the first time, we have a speaker who is willing to stand up and champion school choice.”
The hearing that followed was marked by three hours of intense debate between Republicans and Democrats, with opponents arguing the plan primarily benefits affluent families already sending their children to private schools. Supporters of the measure, however, contended that it would expand educational opportunities for all students by giving families more control over their children’s schooling and fostering competition among institutions.
“Do you think our taxpayers’ dollars should go to a family making $500,000 a year already sending their kids to private school?” asked Rep. James Talarico during the hearing. Abbott later alleged that lobbyists were making the rounds at the Capitol, pressuring Texas House members to reject the legislation. He called on parents and students in the audience to counter their efforts.
At the same time, Abbott has benefited from millions in campaign donations from pro-voucher backers, including a record-breaking $6 million from Pennsylvania billionaire Jeff Yass. He used those funds to challenge Texas House Republicans who had resisted his voucher initiative in 2023.
House Democrats had sought to have Yass testify before the committee on Tuesday, but he did not attend. Instead, the hearing proceeded with testimony from invited witnesses, including representatives from the Texas Private School Association, the Catholic Church, policy researchers, disability advocates, and school administrators.
