Texas lawmakers remain locked in a battle over school vouchers, a policy that has repeatedly failed to gain traction in the Legislature despite strong backing from Governor Greg Abbott.
In the 2023 legislative session, Abbott made school vouchers a cornerstone of his agenda, calling multiple special sessions to push through a program that would provide state funds for families to send their children to private schools. However, bipartisan opposition—particularly from rural Republicans—prevented the measure from passing, despite significant pressure from leadership and well-funded pro-voucher campaigns.
The resistance largely stemmed from concerns that diverting public money to private schools would disproportionately harm rural districts, which rely heavily on state funding. Unlike urban areas, where private school options are more plentiful, many rural communities lack viable alternatives, leaving public schools as the primary educational option. Critics argue that vouchers would drain resources from these districts, exacerbating existing disparities in public education.
Abbott has since made reshaping the Legislature a priority, endorsing pro-voucher candidates in an effort to unseat Republicans who opposed his agenda. He declared that “for the first time in our great state’s history, the Texas House has the votes to pass a universal school choice program,” signaling confidence in the upcoming legislative battle.
Emphasizing that Texas will launch the biggest program yet: “I will continue working closely with both chambers of the Texas Legislature to get the biggest launch of any universal school choice program in the nation to my desk, where it will be swiftly signed into law.”
However, even some school choice advocates are now expressing concerns about the financial implications of a large-scale voucher program. While proponents have long argued that vouchers empower parents and improve education outcomes, the reality of funding such initiatives has raised alarms. The 2023 proposal was estimated to cost $500 million annually for just 62,500 students. Now, the 2025 proposal, Senate Bill 2, is set to cost $1 billion in its first year, with estimates from the Legislative Budget Board showing it could grow to $4.6 billion by 2030.
Additionally, the potential price tag of a statewide voucher program has led to questions about its sustainability. Unlike targeted programs that assist lower-income families, expansive voucher proposals could divert billions from public schools, exacerbating funding disparities. Concerns have also arisen over who will benefit most. Texas Monthly reported that in Arizona’s universal voucher program, 90% of initial applicants were already attending private schools. If Texas follows this pattern, state funds would largely go to families already paying private school tuition, rather than expanding access. Some fiscal conservatives worry that increasing state expenditures on vouchers could lead to higher taxes or cuts in other essential services.
The proposed Texas school voucher program, as outlined in SB 2, does not include amendments that would exclude students already enrolled in private schools from accessing the voucher benefits. In fact, SB 2 extends eligibility to a broad range of students.
Under SB 2, any child eligible to attend or already attending a public school, as well as those enrolled in a public school’s pre-K program and families with children already in private schools, can apply. If demand exceeds available funding, the bill prioritizes students with disabilities and those from households earning up to 500% of the federal poverty level ($156,000 for a family of four).
While Abbott’s preferred voucher proposal in the Senate offers broad eligibility, the House version, House Bill 3, includes significant restrictions aimed at addressing cost concerns.
Unlike SB 2, HB 3 limits access to students who were previously enrolled in public schools, preventing families already paying for private education from receiving state funds. It also establishes a tiered system prioritizing students with disabilities and lower-income families before opening eligibility to wealthier households.
The financial structure of the vouchers also differs between the two bills. While the Senate version offers a flat $10,000 per student, HB 3 ties the voucher amount to the state’s per-student funding formula, capping it at 85% of the combined state and local funding—roughly $1,000 less than SB 2’s proposal.
The House is set to discuss and vote on the voucher proposal on Tuesday, a decision that will determine whether the legislation advances or faces another defeat at the hands of a bipartisan coalition opposed to diverting public education funds.
