Texas House Approves Private School Voucher Bill for the First Time

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Texas Capitol, Courtesy: Hector E. Zaldivar

In a historic move, the Texas House gave initial approval to a bill that would create a $1 billion private school voucher program. The vote marks the first time since 1957 that the chamber has supported state funding for private school tuition, moving Gov. Greg Abbott’s top legislative priority closer to becoming law.

Voucher Bill Advances After Heated Debate

The Texas Tribune reported that after over 10 hours of debate, House lawmakers passed Senate Bill 2 on an 85-63 vote. All present Democrats and two Republicans voted against it. The bill establishes education savings accounts (ESAs), which parents can use to cover private school tuition, transportation, textbooks, and therapy.

Eligibility will prioritize low-income families and students with disabilities, though private schools are not required to admit them. Democrats failed in their attempt to put the measure to a statewide vote, with only one Republican, former Speaker Dade Phelan, supporting the idea.

Key Changes and Restrictions

Lawmakers added new guardrails to the bill during debate, including:

  • Requiring private schools to operate for at least two years before participating
  • Limiting ESA funds for high-income families to 20% of the program’s budget
  • Requiring annual reporting on disability-related student outcomes
  • Blocking undocumented students from participating, raising legal and privacy concerns

$7.7 Billion School Funding Package Also Moves Forward

Alongside the voucher bill, the House also advanced a massive school funding plan. House Bill 2 passed with overwhelming support (144-4) and includes:

  • A $395 increase in base funding per student
  • Automatic inflation-based increases every two years
  • Pay raises for teachers, especially those with more than a decade of experience
  • A shift in special education funding to reflect students’ individual needs
  • Limits on uncertified teachers in core subjects

Split Views on Funding Impact

Democrats supported HB 2 but said it doesn’t go far enough to address inflation, budget deficits, and staffing shortages. Rep. James Talarico questioned whether the funding would solve the state’s public education struggles, prompting applause from observers in the gallery.

What’s Next?

The House will still need to hold final votes on both bills before sending them to the Senate, where lawmakers will work out differences. If passed, Governor Abbott has promised to sign the voucher legislation into law, calling it “an extraordinary victory” for school choice advocates.

Keep up with the new bills from the Texas Legislature 2025 with us on Que Onda Magazine .