After almost 11 hours of debate, Texas’s house approved on an early Thursday a controversial bill that would provide eligible families with public funds to help pay the registration of private schools.
The school election bill was approved in an 85-63 vote two were absent. The measure will provide educational savings accounts financed by taxpayers, also known as school coupons, allowing students of public schools to attend private institutions if accepted in the State program.
ELECTION FOR TEXAS SCHOOL CUPONES AND FUNDS ASSIGNMENTS
Under the bill, Students will receive $ 10,000 every year If they attend a private school. The disabled students would receive up to $ 30000 per year and students educated at home would get $ 2,000.
“This is an extraordinary victory for the thousands of parents who have advocated more options when it comes to the education of their children … I applaud to legislats who do a position with most of the roofs they support,” said Greg Abbott.
President of Abbott and Texas House Dustin Burrows They have said for months that they have more than the request of 76 votes to approve the bill.
“Today marks a historical chapter for education in our state, with the House of Texas that passes its emblematic proposals of ‘Texas Two Step’ to offer more educational opportunities for students together with the greatest increase in the financing of public schools.
The vote marks the first time since 1957 that the Texas Chamber has approved the legislation that makes the money of the State noticeable so that families use them in their children’s private education, according to Texas Tribune.
The voting toks place just after Thursday morning, after the Texas Representatives Chamber heard 43 amendment proposals to the bill. All proposal amendments were presented. The vote was divided between Democrats and Republicans. Of all the votes, two Republicans joined all Democrats to vote against the bill.
“Welfare for the rich”
Texas Democrats expressed their disappointment for the result, calling it “well -being for the rich.” The Democrats also expressed their group that the program will damage the school districts by taking money.
Most of the state Republicans supported the legislet.
“The working families will be the ones who will pay the bill for this coupon scam,” said the president of Texas Democrats, Kendall Scudder. “We are deeply disappointed with the legislators who chose to align instead of defending their communities.”
The camera will take a final vote later on Thursday. The bill will then go to the Senate of Texas, where legislators will decide to those who will accompany the changes of the camera or make their own changes.
Trump weighs
Before the vote, Abbott said President Trump also supported the election of the school.
“[Trump] I called this morning to share your support for Texas House Fit SB 2 today, “Abbott published on social networks.
Mr. Trump published on social networks on Thursday congratulating his “friends” Abbott, Burrows and Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick “along with Texas legislators finally approve of the election of the school, which I backed strongly.”
“This is a gigantic victory for students and parents in the great state of Texas!” Mr. Trump wrote. “Very soon we will send education to all states, where it belongs. It is our goal to bring education in the United States to the highest level, one that had never achieved before.”
HB 2: Public School Financing Bill
On Wednesday, the Texas camera passed HB 2, the Public school financing invoice. It passed 144-4, with two absent. Republican leaders said they repeat the greatest increase in funds for public schools.
“Texas public schools are the backbone of our communities, and today the Chamber delivered a historical investment to reinforce public education for the next generation,” Burrows said Wednesday. “House Bill 2 feels the foundations for a modernized and receptive school finance system that will grow with the needs of Texas students, while taxpayers where the greatest impact for students and teachers live.
According to the proposals and others of this bill, the Chamber will inject $ 9 billion in new money. This includes increasing the basic allocation to school districts by $ 395. Forty percent of the new funds will go to salary increases in teachers and salary increases for other personnel. The basic assignment would increase every two years.
Democrats have said that the State does not spend enough money in public education compared to other states. The Republicans, they thought, said they have continued to spend more money in schools.
As legislators discuss the bills, several local school districts in northern Texas have approved deficit budgets due to record inflation and after Republican legislators left $ 4.5 billion for schools on the sidelines. The districts have also faced the decrease in students’ registration, which has also cost them funds.