The school choice legislation passed out of committee on party lines.
01/29/2025
by Cameron Abrams with The Texan
01/29/2025
by TPR Staff
01/28/2025
by Luca Cacciatore with Texas Scorecard
"...and only $2,000 for homeschooled children.."
"The preliminary budget proposals from both chambers allocate $1 billion toward school choice for the 2026-2027 biennium."
"The budgets also include around $5 billion in new funding for education. The Senate proposal specifically includes a $4,000 raise for all teachers and an additional $6,000 for rural teachers.."
"The $2,000 “wouldn’t tell them what curriculum to purchase, but it would make sure safety is a factor and that legitimate companies are a factor,” said Creighton."
“SB 2 is just one of the major reforms that will be addressed by the committee this session,” assured Creighton. “In addition to expanding educational freedom, the Senate Committee on Education K-16 will advance the Texas Teacher Bill of Rights, raises for classroom teachers, and many other critical policy and funding reforms for the 6 million students in Texas schools. I look forward to the work ahead, and appreciate the many Texans who made their voices heard today.”
01/28/2025
by Texas Senate Committee
Invited testimony starts at 1:47:00.
Public testimony starts at 4:15:45.
Vote at 7:55:0. Passed with 9 yes, 2 no.
01/27/2025
by Texas Legislature Online
Time 24:30 is Texas Comptroller Glen Hagar who talks about budget and education (largest line item on Texas budget).
GRE = General Revenue Estimate
LBB = Legislative Budget Board
"Sales tax make up more than half of the state's revenue related tax collection since 1988."
"In 26/27, sales tax collections are projected to be 59% of all collections."
"The rainy day fund (ESF) will hit its cap in 2026." (cap at $28.5 billion; once we hit cap, $ will go to general fund).
"Revenue collections in 26/27 will be an estimated $362.2 billion."
"When I started $29.5 billion in sales tax a year, now it's $4 billion a month in sales tax."
"Modest growth in sales tax is still a very large number."
"Texas has the 8th largest economy in the world."
"Warning from Hagar: BRE is different from 2 yrs ago."
"We have record high interest rates and inflation."
"Article 3 - $51 billion"
*See also LBB on Summary of Legislative Budget Estimates for the Senate (green book). Article 3 Education page 59.
01/24/2025
by TPR Staff
See link for:
Eligibility Requirements for the Texas ESA Program
ESA Funding and Allocation Structure
Program Oversight and Anti-Fraud Measures
Approved Educational Expenses Under SB 2
Challenges and Policy Considerations
01/24/2025
by Creighton
"$10k ESA annually for a child going to an accredited private school"
by Texas Legislature Online
Link to the actual bill text (introduced version).
Link to fiscal note.
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