Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed into law on Saturday a hotly debated $1 billion school choice bill, ushering in a sweeping shift in how education is funded in the Lone Star State. Surrounded by lawmakers and supporters at the Governor’s Mansion, Abbott declared the legislation a major win for Texas families.
“Today is the culmination of a movement that has swept across the state and our country,” Abbott said during the bill signing ceremony. “We have put parents and students first, giving them the tools they need to choose the education that best fits their needs.”
The new law allows taxpayer dollars to be used for private school tuition, a key victory for conservative leaders who have long pushed for greater school choice. Former President Donald Trump, who recently issued an executive order freeing up federal funds for school choice programs, endorsed the bill, calling it a “gigantic Victory for students and parents.”
Celebration at the Capitol: Leaders Applaud Historic Bill
The bill signing ceremony was held at the Governor’s Mansion in Austin and attended by more than 1,400 guests, including Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, House Speaker Dustin Burrows, and key legislative allies such as state Sen. Brandon Creighton and Rep. Brad Bickley. These leaders were instrumental in steering the legislation through both chambers.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton praised the law as a “universal school choice bill” and described it as a “historic step” toward ensuring students have educational freedom. “No child in Texas should be forced to remain in a failing school because of their ZIP code,” he said.
Lt. Gov. Patrick echoed that sentiment, describing the bill as “monumental,” while emphasizing that empowering parents is central to educational reform. The enthusiastic crowd signaled the growing political momentum behind school choice initiatives not just in Texas, but nationwide.
How the Voucher System Will Work in Texas
Under the new legislation, students attending accredited private schools will be eligible to receive up to $10,000 annually in public funds. Students with disabilities will qualify for as much as $30,000, while home-schooled students will receive a stipend of $2,000 per year.
To qualify, families must meet specific criteria, including income thresholds and residency requirements. The funds will be managed through an Education Savings Account (ESA) overseen by the state. Supporters argue this system will enable more equitable access to high-quality private education for families that previously could not afford it.
The bill earmarks $1 billion in total funding, making it one of the largest school voucher programs in the country. Proponents believe it will drive competition and innovation in education, but critics warn of deep consequences for public schools.
Fierce Opposition from Democrats and Public Education Advocates
Democratic lawmakers and public education groups condemned the bill, warning it will drain critical resources from public schools that are already struggling with funding and staffing shortages. They argue the program primarily benefits families already sending their children to private schools, rather than expanding options for underserved communities.
“We are looking at siphoning $1 billion out of our already underfunded system to help a tiny percentage of Texas school children,” said state Sen. Sarah Eckhardt (D-Austin). “This is a redistribution of public money to private institutions.”
Sen. Jolanda “Jo” Brown also slammed the law, calling it “welfare for the wealthy.” In a fiery statement, she added: “This is not school reform—it’s a private-school payday at the expense of public-school children. A backroom betrayal dressed up in buzzwords.”
Despite Democratic opposition, Abbott remained confident throughout the legislative process that the bill would pass, citing strong grassroots support and alignment among Republican leaders.
Legislative Milestone: First-Ever House Approval of School Choice Bill
The bill’s passage marks a significant political shift in Texas. For the first time, the Texas House approved private school voucher legislation in a historic 19-12 vote on April 24. The Senate had passed similar versions of the bill several times before, but it had repeatedly stalled in the House—until now.
Observers say the breakthrough came after sustained pressure from Republican leadership and national conservative groups, including Trump’s public endorsement. The final vote reflected a new willingness among Texas lawmakers to embrace education reform policies previously considered politically risky.
With Abbott’s signature, Texas joins a growing list of Republican-led states that have enacted large-scale school voucher programs. Supporters promise the law will revolutionize education in Texas. Critics, however, warn that the real test will come in how the policy impacts the state’s 5.5 million public school students in the years ahead.
