In the ongoing debate over education reform in Texas, a revised House Bill 1 (HB 1) has been introduced, proposing a school voucher program that diverges from the Senate’s version. Led by Rep. Brad Buckley, the bill suggests a capped education savings account program, eliciting mixed reactions from stakeholders. Eze, Buckley, and Talarico sat down for an interview with the Texas Tribune regarding House Bill 1.

While the Senate’s approach involves allocating $8,000 directly to families for private education, Rep. Buckley’s HB 1 opts for a different route. Under this proposal, parents would receive 75% of the average state and local funding per student, enabling them to utilize the funds for private school tuition or approved expenses.

“The House bill signals a departure from the Senate’s $8,000 direct allocation, focusing on bolstering public education by increasing the state’s basic allotment for each student,” Buckley said.

However, Governor Greg Abbott, an advocate of a robust school voucher program, expressed dissatisfaction with HB 1, indicating a variance from the negotiated terms. “The legislation differs from what the Governor’s office had negotiated with the House’s leadership team,” Abbott’s spokesperson, Renae Eze said.

“While the Governor is pushing for a comprehensive school voucher program, the House bill falls short, prompting a need for continued negotiations,” Eze said.

The proposed HB 1 addresses school vouchers and includes substantial changes to the state’s education landscape. It suggests raising the state’s basic allotment, unaltered since 2019, with incremental increases over two years and a bonus for educators. This multifaceted approach aims to navigate the complex terrain of education reform.

“In addition to the school voucher program, HB 1 introduces commendable changes, including incremental increases to the basic allotment and a one-time bonus for educators,” Buckley said.

Despite the efforts to balance public and private education needs, the political divide remains evident. House Democrats, including Rep. James Talarico, maintains a staunch opposition to any voucher program, emphasizing their commitment to prioritizing public school funding over alternative educational avenues.

“Our position remains the same: no vouchers, no bribes, no deals,” Talarico said.