State Rep. Ken King (R-Canadian) has gone on record saying that Texas House Bill 100 is expected to provide $4.5 billion in public education funding, along with several other big reforms.
On May 9, King tweeted, "I joined Fox News to discuss my school funding bill, HB 100, which has been passed by the House and is now moving through the Senate. HB 100 is good news for teachers, good news for students and good news for public education."
King told Fox26 Houston the bill also includes a "fine arts allotment," which will "keep kids interested in their education career." King also mentioned that the Senate could add a voucher amendment to HB 100, as they are pushing for education savings accounts (ESA). In response to those who want school choice or an ESA program, King said his district only has "two or three private schools" and argued that parents already have options to move their children out of a failing district with virtual education and special education.
According to Just the News, King voted for a budget amendment that prohibits "the use of appropriated money for school vouchers or other similar programs."
The amendment that passed received the support of the following House Republicans: Reps. Steve Allison, Trent Ashby, Ernest Bailes, Keith Bell, DeWayne Burns, Travis Clardy, Drew Darby, Charlie Geren, Justina Holland, Kyle Kacal, Ken King, John Kuempel, Stan Lambert, Brooks Landgraf, Andy Murr, Angelia Orr, Four Price, John Raney, Glenn Rogers, Hugh Shine, Reggie Smith, David Spiller and Gary VanDeaver.
Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX) and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R-TX) have been supportive of the school choice movement and specifically ESAs, according to Just the News. Abbott has said "education freedom" is a legislative priority this session and has been touring the state hosting rallies in support of the movement.
Patrick recently said, "Parents are the single most important factor to the success of their child in education, followed by a teacher. Republicans, independents and Democrats all support school choice because Texans agree that families must have choice in education, so every child has the best chance of success," according to Just The News.
According to Education Week, ESAs are becoming more popular throughout the country with families receiving access to public per-pupil funds that can be used to pay for private schools, homeschool supplies, curriculum materials and education-based therapy services.
A prior article from the Lone Star Standard stated that the Wall Street Journal Editorial Board recently commented on the education funding fight in Texas. While rural Republicans argue that district schools can't afford to lose students, the editorial board says an ESA program could foster better school options, including more schools in rural areas. The real reason for House opposition from rural legislators is threats from teachers' unions, who don't want any competition from other schools, even though some public schools may be failing.
Texas Tech economics professor Alexander Salter told the Austin Journal, "Study after study shows the positive results of school choice: Participating student test scores rise, taxpayers save money, civic literacy increases. Even traditional public schools benefit from school choice. Competition for students forces them to step up their game, helping students who remain."
Salter argued that teachers and public schools will benefit. "Also, there’s initial promising evidence competition for teachers boosts their salaries. School choice helps just about every major stakeholder,” he told the Austin Journal.
