AUSTIN, Texas — Senate Bill 2, which would create education savings accounts (ESAs) to let Texas families use public funds for private school tuition, passed the Texas Senate Wednesday evening. It now heads to the Texas House for debate.
The Senate passed the bill with a vote of 19-12.
With a billion-dollar allocation, the bill could fund approximately 100,000 ESAs, offering $10,000 to each student and $11,500 to those with disabilities.
This marks the sixth passage of a school choice bill by the Senate. All prior bills failed to pass the House.
“The Texas Senate’s passage of SB 2 is the biggest launch of any universal school choice program in American history, with $1 billion in funding for 100,000 students,” Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said following the passage of SB2. “Sen. Creighton has done an outstanding job authoring and carrying this bill.”
Gov. Greg Abbott said in a post on X, “Today the Senate put Texas one step closer to expanding education options that students need & parents deserve.”
The bill will face skeptical Democrats in the House, many of whom are calling for teacher pay raises.
