Joe.My.God. LGBT News
The Texas Tribune reports:
The Texas House gave initial approval early Thursday to a bill that would create a $1 billion private school voucher program, crossing a historic milestone and bringing Gov. Greg Abbott’s top legislative priority closer than ever to reaching his desk.
The lower chamber signed off on its voucher proposal, Senate Bill 2, on an 85-63 vote. Every present Democrat voted against the bill. They were joined by two Republicans — far short of the bipartisan coalitions that in previous legislative sessions consistently blocked proposals to let Texans use taxpayer money to pay for their children’s private schooling.
“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 said in a statement, vowing that he would “swiftly sign this bill into law” when it reached his desk.
The New York Times reports:
The program would be capped at $1 billion in its first year, but could grow quickly, potentially reaching an estimated $4.5 billion a year by 2030. The funds can be used for private school tuition and for costs associated with home-schooling, including curriculum materials and virtual learning programs.
The bill was championed by an ascendant wing of the Republican Party, closely allied with President Trump and important conservative donors, including Betsy DeVos, Mr. Trump’s wealthy former education secretary, and Jeff Yass, a billionaire financier from Pennsylvania and a Republican megadonor.
Hours before the vote, the president spoke by phone to Mr. Abbott and Republican representatives, urging them to support the measure. “It’s a really forward-thinking vote,” Mr. Trump said, his voice heard on speakerphone. “Whatever I can do, let me know.” Those in the room cheered.
The Texas state reps behind the bill are backed by a pair of far-right oil baron billionaires who also happen to be evangelical pastors.
.@EllenTroxclair wore an “I ❤️ Public Schools” sticker… until it was time to fight for them.
She peeled it off and stood up for private school vouchers instead.
Texas kids need more than a photo op and a sticker—they need champions. #txlege pic.twitter.com/nnp8uT5pdm
— Travis County Democratic Party (@TCDP) April 16, 2025
WATCH: The voucher bill author admits he has NO IDEA that in every other state, most users are wealthy families already in private schools.
It’s crazy that republicans are pushing this without knowing its impact — while defunding public schools.
Texas students deserve better. pic.twitter.com/8vJx5EI7g9
— katya (@EhresmanKatya) April 16, 2025
I just filed an amendment to block wealthy families from using the voucher scam as a private school tuition discount — Republicans voted it down.
No one making $160,000+ needs help covering private school tuition.
This is common sense. It should’ve been an easy yes. pic.twitter.com/guRLWiJeeE
— Rep. John Bucy III (@BucyForTexas) April 17, 2025
Texans at the Capitol today are delivering their message loud and clear:
FUND OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS. NO VOUCHERS. pic.twitter.com/2Z7sTxTWul
— Senator Roland Gutierrez (@RolandForTexas) April 16, 2025
WATCH: @JamesTalarico perfectly explains why we should bring the question of vouchers to the people of Texas.
This will be the single largest change to our public education system in over 100 years. Significant is an absolute understatement.
Let. The. People. Vote. pic.twitter.com/t2JCI0wqFI
— Mason Reid (@Masonreid54) April 16, 2025
Abbott’s voucher scam deserves an honest name.
That’s why I introduced an amendment to call it:
The SCAM Act: Siphoning Classroom Assets for Millionaires Act!
Because Texans deserve to know exactly what they’re getting.#txlege pic.twitter.com/coMLWtimvL
— Gene Wu (@GeneforTexas) April 17, 2025
I just told the entire Capitol and Greg Abbott: the decision to dismantle our public schools and pass a private school voucher scam can’t be made behind closed doors.
Let the people vote — don’t mess with Texas public schools.#txlege pic.twitter.com/N6JCjRo4tE
— Gene Wu (@GeneforTexas) April 16, 2025
FACT CHECK: The average K-12 private school tuition in Texas is $11,050 — $1,050 more than the proposed voucher.
How many low-income families have an extra $1,050 lying around?
Voucher scams don’t increase options — they give rich families a discount on private education. pic.twitter.com/ZSH4KdhY9o
— Lauren Hormiga (@lauren_hormiga) April 16, 2025
New: The Texas House rejected a bid by Rep. James Talarico, D-Austin, to put the school voucher proposal up for a statewide vote on the November ballot. https://t.co/s6IePAEAWl
— Texas Tribune (@TexasTribune) April 16, 2025
Protests are already in full swing at the Texas Capitol this morning ahead of the House’s expected vote on priority school voucher and public school funding legislation.
The chant? “No vouchers. Fund our schools.” pic.twitter.com/EvORCZWj2k
— Jaden Edison (@edisonjaden) April 16, 2025
All but 1 Republican just voted against transparency on sexual abuse cases in private schools receiving voucher funds.
They moved to table this critical protection.
Private schools should never get public money without public accountability.We’ll keep fighting.#txlege pic.twitter.com/1pOS6kP2Oo
— Texas House Democrats (@TexasHDC) April 17, 2025
In the decade this guy has been governor, we’ve slipped from 39th in education to 41st.
Republicans have been in power in Texas for 30 years. They haven’t done jack shit to fix our public schools. Now they’re trying to destroy them with this voucher scam. https://t.co/d9NpXvkksq
— Senator Roland Gutierrez (@RolandForTexas) April 15, 2025
Elon Musk’s kids would qualify for Texas taxpayer-funded private school vouchers
So the richest person in the world gets the same voucher as people living under the poverty line https://t.co/0c9eKciEI5
— Evil MoPac (@EvilMopacATX) April 17, 2025