Members of the Texas Democratic Party say there are several things they want to accomplish for the state in 2025. The new session of the Texas legislature starts on Tuesday. Republicans have a solid majority in both the House and Senate.
"You will see us fight for us to make healthcare a right and not a privilege," Rep. Gina Hinojosa (D-Austin) said. "It is unacceptable that one in four Texans struggle with medical debt."
Democrats also discussed improving housing affordability and securing the state's water supply during a news conference in Austin on Monday. One of their main goals for the new session will be to improve public school funding.
"There is probably no issue that more unites us and more defines us as Democrats than our belief that every Texas child should have access to quality public education," Hinojosa said. "That's why, last session, you saw this group and all Texas House Democrats unite and win against the governor's voucher scam. We will fight to win this session as well."
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) has made his school choice program his top priority for this session of the Texas legislature.
"Texas will finally be able to provide school choice for every Texan, while continuing to support our public schools and enhancing job training education to ensure our students are going to be successful in their future careers," he said during a news conference following the November elections.
Democrats oppose the idea of giving parents vouchers to cover the cost of tuition at private schools.
"We're going to fight vouchers because it's bad public policy," Rep. James Tallarico (D-Austin) said. "You often hear the misleading slogan 'school choice', but it's not school choice - it's the schools' choice. They can deny admission to any kid for any reason they want. How is it choice when the private school has all the power? How is it choice when 151 counties in the State of Texas don't have a private school? How is it choice when the cost of the voucher doesn't even cover the cost of tuition in most private schools in Texas?"
Rep. Briscoe Cain (R-Deer Park) has filed House Bill 212, called the Texas Parental Empowerment Act of 2025. There are expected to be several more school choice bills filed this year.
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