The Texas House of Representatives voted to reject a school choice measure on Friday, passing 84-63, with 21 Republicans voting for the amendment.
The measure to create a Texas Education Savings Account was taken out of an education bill after Republican Rep. John Raney introduced the amendment to take it out.
“I believe in my heart that using taxpayer dollars to fund an entitlement program is not conservative and is bad public policy, period,” Raney said.
Author of the bill, House Public Education Committee Chairman Brad Buckle, said during debate on the bill that Texas lawmakers had the opportunity “for the first time in Texas, give parents of the most vulnerable real options for a better future for their kids.”
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has consistently called for school choice, and said that he was disappointed with the House vote.
“I will continue advancing school choice in the Texas Legislature and at the ballot box, and will maintain the fight for parent empowerment until all parents can choose the best education path for their child,” Abbott said. “I am in it to win it.”
“The small minority of pro-union Republicans in the Texas House who voted with the Democrats will not derail the outcome that their voters demand,” he continued.
From The Daily Wire:
Lt. Governor Dan Patrick also criticized the decision, referring to the fact that the Texas Senate had passed school choice several times over the few years, including during the special session. Last week, the Senate passed a bill that would have allocated $8,000 per student in private or public school for education related costs.
