TEXAS (KSLA) – “I believe that a voucher program is harmful to public schools and especially rural public schools,” Texas State Rep. Gary Vandeaver said.
A Texas Senate Committee has approved a school choice bill, allowing families to use tax dollars for private school education. Having this issue pass during this legislative session is a major goal of Governor Greg Abbott.
Vandeaver, of New Boston, says the bill is a mistake.
“It’s neither a good policy or conservative policy to just give these vouchers for students to go to private school with no accountability,” he said.
The bill will create a program that will allow families around $10,000 to attend private schools.
Vandeaver says this could hurt some public schools in the short term but ultimately, hurt the state of Texas in the long run.
“I know those who are supporting this say it will not take money out of public schools, but I believe if you look at other states that have implemented these programs, you will see ultimately, eventually, public school funding goes down because we have a limited pot of money in the state of Texas.”
School voucher programs were a major topic of discussion during Vandeaver’s bid for re-election last year. A similar bill was voted down during the last legislative session, and Vandeaver is hoping for the same result.
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