Every Texan CEO and Texas House Democrats have expressed their strong opposition to Gov. Greg Abbott's school choice legislation. School choice is a priority for Texas' Third Special Session, and the Governor has indicated his support for every child in Texas having access to education savings accounts.
According to Marisa Bono, CEO of Every Texan, there is widespread opposition to education savings accounts, sometimes called school vouchers, stating, "The thing is vouchers are not inevitable, instead we have broad bipartisan opposition and irritation." She said this in response State Rep. Barbara Gervin-Hawkins' suggestion that Texas Democrats should compromise on vouchers.
Joining the vocal opposition are Democratic members of the Texas House. Representative Ann Johnson (HD-134) took to X to express her strong opposition, stating, "I vehemently oppose any school voucher legislation and will do everything in my power to stop it in its tracks." Similarly, Representative Gina Hinojosa (HD-49) criticized the idea, calling it "a scam that threatens everything we love about our public schools." Representative Mihaela Plesa (HD-70) raised concerns about the potential financial impact, stating that education savings accounts would "siphon off billions of dollars from neighborhood schools each year."
Abbott has made education freedom a priority, according to Lone Star Standard, including legislation providing education savings accounts for all Texas school children. Education Savings Accounts and school choice have been passed or expanded in other Republican-controlled states, such as Iowa, Florida, Arkansas, and Utah.
According to The Texas Tribune, Abbott, is committed to delivering school choice for every Texan. He stated, "we will take it either way - in a special session or after an election." The debate over school choice in Texas will continue as lawmakers navigate the complexities and concerns surrounding education savings accounts.
