Texas Gov. Abbott Signs Private School Voucher Bill Into Law

Texas families will soon beryllium capable to usage nationalist costs for backstage acquisition nether a caller rule signed Saturday, May 3, by Gov. Greg Abbott. The caller authorities marks a awesome displacement successful nan state’s attack to schoolhouse funding.

Abbott signed Senate Bill 2, which establishes a schoolhouse voucher programme that will let parents to usage payer dollars to salary for backstage schoolhouse tuition and different education-related expenses. The legislation, backed by a $1 cardinal backing package, was passed by nan Republican-controlled Legislature pursuing months of debate.

“When I ran for reelection successful 2022, I promised schoolhouse prime for nan families of Texas. Today, we present connected that promise,” Abbott said during a bill-signing ceremonial extracurricular nan Governor’s Mansion. “Gone are nan days that families are constricted to only nan schoolhouse assigned by government.”

The rule will spell into effect Sept. 1, but is expected to motorboat successful precocious 2026. It will supply up to $10,000 per twelvemonth to students attending accredited backstage schools. Students pinch disabilities will beryllium eligible for up to $30,000 annually, and home-schooled students tin person $2,000 per year. Funds tin besides beryllium utilized for expenses specified arsenic textbooks, proscription and therapy services.

The programme will usage an online level operated by nan acquisition financial exertion institution ClassWallet, akin to a strategy presently utilized successful Arizona.

Critics, including galore Democrats and nationalist acquisition advocates, reason nan scheme diverts backing from nationalist schools that are already nether financial strain.

“We are looking astatine siphoning $1 cardinal retired of our already underfunded strategy to thief a mini percent of Texas schoolhouse children who are mostly already successful backstage school,” said authorities Sen. Sarah Eckhardt, D-Austin.

President Donald Trump praised nan bill’s transition successful a station past period connected his societal media platform, Truth Social.

“Congratulations to my friends, Governor Greg Abbott, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, and Speaker Dustin Burrows, on pinch Texas Legislators, for yet passing SCHOOL CHOICE, which I powerfully endorsed – this is simply a gigantic Victory for students and parents successful nan Great State of Texas!” Trump wrote.