Texas House passes budget that includes $1 billion for school choice

Texas lawmakers approved a $337 billion, two-year budget late Thursday that includes $1 billion for education savings accounts (ESA).

If passed in separate legislation, the school choice program would be the largest at launch in the nation, providing $10,000 scholarships to about 100,000 students in its first year.

The Texas House approved the budget bill, SB 1, by a wide margin, with some Democrats joining Republicans to pass it 118-26. The Senate approved it unanimously last month, meaning the two chambers will convene a committee to resolve $1 billion in differences between their respective versions.

The House approval marks a significant step forward for school choice in the Lone Star State, as Democrats did not propose any amendments to stop it or strip it from the budget bill. 

The House could make history next week by passing SB 2, the Senate’s school choice measure. The Republican-led Senate previously passed school choice bills that failed in the House. This year, Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dustin Burrows have all said that school choice will pass.  

National politicians, including President Donald Trump and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, have weighed in, urging the bill’s passage. 

The House is also expected to consider HB 2, a measure that would increase funding for public schools. 

Abbott, a Republican and strong advocate for school choice, posted again on X this week: “We can have both school choice AND strong, successful public schools.”