The Texas House of Representatives voted to give initial approval to a $1 billion program that will see taxpayer money fund private school fees, a top priority of Gov. Greg Abbott and one he says will improve choice for parents and children.
The private school voucher program faces one final vote for approval in the state House before it moves back to the Senate, where it started. Both chambers will then reconcile certain differences before it goes to Abbott, the Texas Tribune reported.
Under the bill, if a family sends their child to an accredited private school, they will receive a voucher worth $10,000 per year, rising to $11,500 if the student has a disability.
“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 Abbott, a Republican, in a statement.
“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.”
Abbott vowed to “swiftly sign this bill into law” when it hits his desk, “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.”
The news comes as the Trump Administration moves to shutter the federal education department to pass responsibility entirely back to the states.
This is a developing story and more information will be added shortly.
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