Texas Governor Abbott and Rep. Don McLaughlin praise House vote passing School Voucher Plan Bill

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2 days ago

By Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian

04-17-25

Top Picture: Knippa ISD school crossing: file photo

Wednesday night April 16th, the Texas House voted and passed SB 2 or the School Choice Plan which will give parents the option of using public tax monies to help pay for private school education for their children.

Houston Public Media a publication of the University of Houston wrote, “After more than 12 hours of debate, the Texas House gave initial approval to two of the most closely-watched bills of the legislative session – a $7.7 billion public school funding package and a hotly contested proposal to create a pathway for families to use state tax dollars to help send their kids to private schools.”

Governor Greg Abbott today applauded the Texas House of Representatives for making Texas history by passing Senate Bill 2, the state’s universal school choice program in an official April 17th press release:

“For the first time in Texas history, our state has passed a universal school choice bill out of both chambers in the Texas Legislature,” said Governor Abbott. “This is an extraordinary victory for the thousands of parents who have advocated for more choices when it comes to the education of their children. Texas could not have accomplished this without the hard work and unwavering support from Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, Speaker Dustin Burrows, Chairman Brandon Creighton, and Chairman Brad Buckley. I applaud the legislators who took a stand with the overwhelming majority of Texans who support school choice. When it reaches my desk, I will swiftly sign this bill into law, creating the largest day-one school choice program in the nation and putting Texas on a pathway to becoming the best state in America for educating our kids.”

Texas House District 80 Representative Don McLaughlin also praised the passage of the School Choice Bill on his Campaign Facebook Page:

“Last night, I stood with Texas parents—and with President Trump, the Texas House, and conservatives statewide—to deliver real education freedom for families.

This is a major conservative win. Parents are back in charge, and the days of unaccountable bureaucrats running our schools are coming to an end. ” McLaughlin said.

According to a KVUE news article, earlier this morning, the House passed an ESA bill which would allow parents to create Educational Savings Accounts.

“Record Funding for Public Schools”

Texas House also Passes HB2 to allocate “Record Funding” for Public Schools: According to a Press Release from the Governor Abbott’s Office he said, “The Texas House took a monumental step to increase education funding and teacher pay raises that puts Texas on the path to education excellence for our students,” said Governor Abbott. “Since I have been Governor, public education funding and average teacher pay have reached all-time highs and, now, House Bill 2 will add $7.7 billion more to fund a high-quality education for the next generation of Texas leaders. I thank Speaker Dustin Burrows and Chairman Brad Buckley for their steadfast leadership, and I look forward to signing this bill into law.”

With the passage of these bills related to Texas School Funding, the School Voucher Program and the creation of Educational Savings Accounts it is unclear as to how these different bills, if voted into law, will work on the ground level and what impact the School Voucher Plan will have on overall public school funding.