Texas ad promotes school choice as bill advances toward Senate floor
An education freedom advocate has released an ad promoting school choice in Texas as the state Legislature moves closer to accomplishing Gov. Greg Abbot’s priority of establishing universal choice…

An education freedom advocate has released an ad promoting school choice in Texas as the state Legislature moves closer to accomplishing Gov. Greg Abbot’s priority of establishing universal choice in the state.
The ad, from yes. every kid., will air on local television in Austin during Abbott’s State of the State address Sunday, the organization said in an email.
“Gov. Abbott’s bold leadership on universal school choice sets a powerful example for the entire country,” said Tiffany Barfield, the organization’s government affairs director. “We applaud his commitment to ensuring every Texas student has an opportunity to succeed—and we’re committed to bringing education freedom to every Texan.”
Abbott, a Republican, has made education freedom a priority. He is expected to declare it one of the emergency measures the Legislature is allowed to vote on during the next 60 days. The Senate bill on school choice advanced out of the Education Committee Thursday by a 9-2 vote along party lines, withstanding Democrat opposition.
Lt. Gov. Daniel Patrick said the Senate could pass it as soon as Wednesday, KETK TV reported. A similar measure has been introduced in the House, where Abbott is seeking vindication after that body defeated a school choice plan two years ago.
In the interim, the governor targeted House Republicans that opposed the plan, endorsing 11 candidates who won primaries against them last year. Now he appears to have the votes necessary to create a $1 billion education savings account program that would grant families $10,000 annually toward their child’s education.
Students with disabilities would receive $11,000, and families that homeschool would receive $2,000 per child.
“Parents can again spend this money on tuition, instructional materials, higher education courses, trade certificates, assessment costs,” said Sen. Brandon Creighton, who authored Senate Bill 2.
If passed, it would instantly become one of the largest school choice programs in the country.