Senate Bill 2, authored by Sen. Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe), would create an "Education Savings Account" (ESA) program that would allow Texas families to use public tax dollars to help pay for private education.

The proposal, a priority of Gov. Greg Abbott, budgets $1 billion over the next two years to fund the private school vouchers.

Legislation advances after a budget analysis estimates the cost of the voucher-style program will nearly quadruple in 4 years.

Both chambers are off to a fast start, with each unveiling its plan to guide state spending for the two-year budget cycle that starts Sept. 1.

A bipartisan group of rural Republicans and Democrats killed the idea in the legislature two years ago. This year, Governor Abbott believes he has the votes.

Dan Patrick’s office described as maintaining “current border ... what lawmakers proposed for such a program during the 2023 legislative session. The school voucher-like program would allow families to use taxpayer dollars to pay for their children ...

The Texas Senate kicked off what will likely be this year’s most hotly contested political battle with a hearing Tuesday on a school voucher ... Gov. Dan Patrick, a Republican who leads the ...

After successful campaigns for House allies, the governor is in a position to set an ambitious course for the legislative session.

The governor’s State of the State address is key because it’s where he’ll declare his “emergency items” for the ongoing 2025 Texas legislative session. In the session’s first 60 days, lawmakers are only allowed to pass legislation related to these items.

Senate Bill 2 would set aside $1 billion in taxpayer money to give some parents $10,000 vouchers to spend at private schools.

AUSTIN, Texas - The first hearing on a new school voucher plan is now set for Tuesday, Jan. 28, at the Texas Capitol. Lt. Governor Dan Patrick said he would fast track the controversial legislation and on Friday morning, in the State Senate, SB 2 was referred to the Senate Education K-16 Committee .