AUSTIN, Texas (CN) - Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed a sweeping school voucher bill into law Saturday, making good on a key policy goal and bringing a tumultuous political fight to an end.

At a signing event held at the governor's mansion, Abbott told a crowd of hundreds it was a historic day that would not have been possible without Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows and the many other Republican lawmakers who managed to pass the legislation amid strong opposition from Democrats. 

"I am about to sign into law the largest day one school choice program in the United States of America," Abbott said to cheers from the crowd of supporters. 

Abbott's characterization of Senate Bill 2 rings true, as it is a $1 billion voucher program that allows families to use taxpayer dollars to pay for private school tuition and other education-related expenses. 

Starting in 2026, students will be allowed to apply for the program and could get 85% of the state and local funds that public schools get per student, around $10,000. Students with disabilities could get up to $30,000 under the plan, and homeschooled students could receive $2,000.  The money will go into what the bill refers to as an education savings account that will be managed through the comptroller's office. 

Families can use the money to pay for a range of expenses, including tuition, textbooks, transportation and food, but the state does have some say in who is eligible to receive these public dollars. The private schools must be accredited and issue an annual norm-referenced test to students to be eligible. The comptroller is also given the latitude to decide what other education service providers can accept the funds.

During his remarks, the governor highlighted the wide array of people who may benefit from this program, including children with special needs or parents "who are angry that a woke agenda was being forced on" their children, referencing the story of Hillary Hickland, a mother who currently serves in the Texas House of Representatives. 

"These families, and thousands more, have been yearning to choose a school that best fits their child," Abbott said. "Now, they have that option."

While Republicans celebrated, Democrats and public school advocates reflected on what Representative James Talarico called "a dark day for Texas." The Austin Democrat's comments came during a parallel event held a short distance from the governor's mansion at the Texas AFL-CIO headquarters. 

Critics of SB 2 fear it will further strain resources for public schools, allow the wealthiest Texans to take advantage of the program and lack proper accountability measures. Talarico pointed directly at pro-school voucher political donors who have supported Abbott, as a sign that SB 2 was meant to enrich the wealthy.

"With the stroke of his pen, Greg Abbott is betraying nearly 6 million Texas public school students for his billionaire mega-donors who write him $6 million checks," Talarico said. "With this private school voucher scam, Greg Abbott is taking billions of dollars out of our neighborhood schools and sending those tax dollars to unaccountable private schools for the wealthy."  

Talarico and Democrats were not alone in their opposition to SB 2. Hundreds of citizens from all political shades showed up to two separate public hearings on the bill while it was under consideration. One such person was Nicole Hutchison, a homeschool parent from Joshua, Texas. On several occasions, she traveled to Austin and waited for hours to tell lawmakers that while the bill purports to help homeschoolers, she prefers "freedom over funds."

"Today is a confirmation of how out of touch Abbott is from we the people who call Texas home," Hutchison told Courthouse News. "But it's also infuriating that so many people are blind to the deception. It is salt in the wound to many, including myself, who pleaded with their representatives and testified in front of committees." 

With the signing of SB 2 into law, Abbott has made a successful comeback from 2023, when Democrats and rural Republicans in the Texas House banded together to kill similar bills during the regular session and four special sessions. Using his weight as governor, Abbott campaigned against anti-school voucher Republicans during the 2024 primaries, ousting them in favor of fresh candidates who will vote for his agenda.

Senate Bill 2 takes effect later this year, on Sept. 1, but families accepted into the program will receive funds starting during the 2026-2027 school year.

The legislature is also considering numerous other proposals related to education, including a bill to require the display of the Ten Commandments in every public school classroom, another that would ban diversity, equity and inclusion programs in grades K-12 and a nearly $8 billion public school finance plan.

Source: Courthouse News Service