THIS WEEK (Jan. 27-Jan. 31)
The Senate Education K-16 Committee passed Senate Bill 2, the Voucher/Education Savings Account (ESA) bill, on Tuesday (1/28). The bill is scheduled to go before the full Senate for a vote next week because Governor Abbott is expected to designate school vouchers/choice as an emergency item which allows the legislature to immediately vote on proposed bills.
Upon passage in the full Senate (which is expected) SB 2 would then go to the House for a hearing and further debate. Upon passage in the House, if the bills differ, a conference committee will be assigned where lawmakers will resolve differences and come to an agreement between the two chambers. As an emergency item, the bill could pass both chambers and be on the Governor’s desk before the end of the session (June 2).
Key components of the bill include:
Senate Bill 2 (SB 2) – Voucher/ESA Bill
· Creates an Education Savings Account (ESA) program within Comptroller’s Office to pay for education related expenses of approved families
· Allows approved parents to submit a request for payment to an educational service
· Eligible students: any child who is eligible to enroll in public school, including pre-K
· ESA funding allows:
· $ 2,000 for participants not enrolled in a private school (home school)
· $10,000 for participants enrolled in a private school
· $11,500 for participants with a disability enrolled in a private school
If the number of applications for an ESA exceed the amount appropriated, ESAs will be distributed based on a lottery that: 80% of students must have been enrolled in a public school for at least 90% of the year and are from a low-income household or have a disability.
· All participants will take a standardized test
Costs for vouchers/ESAs, according to the Legislative Budget Board’s fiscal note, could exceed $10 billion through 2030.
Unless changes are made to the current bill to limit the state’s expenditure on vouchers, the cost to the state amounts to an estimated $2,000 per student over the five-year period ($400 per student per year) in potential funding for public schools.
Lt. Governor Patrick delivered his list of priority bills he wants passed this session. They include the following items that will or may impact public education:
Senate Bill 1 – Budget Bill
Senate Bill 2 – Providing School Choice (Voucher/ESA)
Senate Bill 4 – Increasing the Homestead Exemption to $140,000 ($150,000 for seniors)
Senate Bill 10 – Placing the Ten Commandments in School
Senate Bill 11 – Protecting the Freedom to Pray in School
Senate Bill 12 – Establishing a Parental Bill of Rights in Public Education
Senate Bill 13 – Guarding Against Inappropriate Books in Public Schools
Senate Bill 14 – Texas DOGE – Improving Government Efficiency
Senate Bill 23 – Removing the Cap on the Rainy Day Fund to Secure Texas’ Long-term Financial Future
Senate Bill 24 – Educating Texas Students on the Horrors of Communism
Senate Bill 25 – Making Texas Healthy Again
To see a list of Lt. Governor Patrick’s other top 25 priorities, click here.
Next Week (Feb. 2 – Feb. 7) On Sunday, Feb. 2 at 5 p.m. – Governor Abbott will deliver his State of the State address. He will share his priorities for this legislative session along with the issues he will designate as emergency issues that legislators can pass immediately. His address may be viewed on KDAF TV, channel 33 or via live stream here.
Legislative Corner will be published periodically throughout the 89th legislative session. For more information about RISD’s legislative involvement, please visit the legislative page here. Other resources include Texas Legislature Online (TLO) – find legislation (bills), committee hearings, legislative member info, and more; The Quorum Report – sign-up for “Daily Buzz” or a listing of political news articles; Texas Tribune – online daily news, also a data dashboard for education.
