Texas lawmakers filed a record 1,511 bills on Tuesday ahead of the state's upcoming legislative session, with school vouchers among the issues expected to take center stage.
Gov. Greg Abbott's (R) push for school vouchers, which has faced opposition from inside his party, is likely to gain momentum in the session. Abbott's successful efforts to unseat Republicans who opposed school choice have shifted the landscape.
"We've seen major personnel changes in the Texas legislature," SMU political science professor Matthew Wilson said. "The governor feels like he's clearly got majority support for a voucher program. Dan Patrick has signaled that he wants to make that priority one in the Senate."
Wilson added Republicans could add increased funding for public schools to the bill to try to garner support from Democrats.
Lawmakers are also expected to address a range of culture war issues, including legislation to limit minors' access to social media. The session begins in January.
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Tell your Smart Speaker to "PLAY 1080 KRLD"
Sign Up to receive our KRLD Insider Newsletter for more news
Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube
