In January - State lawmakers converged on Austin to gavel in for the 88th Legislature. During normal legislative years - they’d only be under the dome for 140 days, give or take. But as KRLD's Robyn Geske explains - because of one particular issue - the 88th session is still going on.
During the previous special sessions this year, lawmakers were able to agree on several border security measures and a bill that contained the largest tax cut in state history for homeowners.
Before lawmakers even arrived at the capitol this time around, Governor Greg Abbott announced that Education Savings Accounts, or ESAs, would be considered a priority this session. That’s a type of funding model where parents will be given a voucher, in this case, up to 10 grand for their student to spend on educational resources, like books or tutoring, but most controversially private school tuition.
These accounts would be taxpayer-funded. Meaning public money would potentially end up in private hands. The governor says it’s all about offering parents a choice.
“Public charter school that provides choice magnets Academy Early College high schools and we allow you to transfer between public schools so those are all things that we can be beefed up if we want to make sure there are options for all kids.”
Leadership isn’t even on the same side of the controversy.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick says voucher-type funding models don’t shortchange public schools at all.
“If a student leaves a public school to go to a private school, the public school doesn't have to teach that student anymore. OK? So they don't lose any money. They don't get the money for that student but the student is gone.”
Speaker Dade Phelam says they must listen to the voters on such a divisive issue.
Texas is a huge state. challenges in public education teachers administrators and all they do at the same time be mindful of the fact that a lot of members are doing something different in the special session.
So as the regular session wrapped, both the Senate and House were deadlocked on the issue of school choice… so, Governor Abbott did as promised, and called a special legislative session, after special session after special session.
Four times the governor called lawmakers back to pass a school choice bill… even at one point tying teachers’ pay raises that were not guaranteed during the regular session to an ESA bill.
Despite this, nothing worked. When the fourth special session ended late last month, no school voucher bill came close to having the support from both parties to pass. That means crucial teacher raises and funding for security upgrades are hanging in the balance.
Concerning school vouchers with the support from both parties that could pass, Gov Greg Abbott says he knows what has to be done.
"We will be spending December here maybe January here maybe February.”
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