‘Pro-Union’ Texas Republicans Vote To Kill School Choice Provision

Education continues to be a prominent wedge issue in the current political climate with Republicans pushing for policies such as expanded school choice.

In Texas, however, partisan infighting has thus far prevented any real progress toward advancing a school choice bill endorsed by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott and other prominent state officials.

A vote late last week saw the approval of an amendment filed by state Rep. John Raney, a Republican, that essentially derailed legislation intended to create a statewide Education Savings Account. 

The GOP lawmaker defended his move by asserting that he believes “using taxpayer dollars to fund an entitlement program is not conservative and is bad policy, period.”

He was able to convince others in his party to join him and the amendment passed with a vote of 84 to 63. Supporters of the initial bill have already vowed to keep pushing for the measure, which would make it easier for parents to send their children to the schools of their choice.

GOP state Rep. Brad Buckley, the bill’s author, indicated the proposed legislation would head back to the relevant committee for further consideration.

Abbott, who has already called four special legislative sessions intended to advance a school choice agenda, also weighed in on the recent setback. He accused the Republicans who voted alongside Democrats to remove the school choice provision from the recent omnibus bill of being “pro-union” and insisted that they “will not derail the outcome that their voters demand.”

He said he would “continue advancing school choice in the Texas Legislature and at the ballot box and will maintain the fight for parent empowerment until all parents can choose the best education path for their child,” vowing that he is “in it to win it.”

Democratic state Rep. James Talarico took a victory lap in the aftermath of the vote.

“We did it,” he gloated. “We just defeated Greg Abbott’s voucher scam. The People’s House has spoken. I’m so proud of the bipartisan coalition in the Texas House that defended our schools and our kids.”

For his part, GOP Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick echoed Abbott’s disappointment, stating: “I am stunned that 21 House Republicans will continue to fight against parents and denied them the right to choose a school they think is best for their child.”