Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick says school choice will be a priority for the Senate

Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said Friday that school choice will be his top priority when the state Senate meets in January.

Patrick said they will turn their attention to school choice after the Senate introduces the state budget as Senate Bill 1.

“To underscore its importance, Senate Bill 2 will be the Senate’s school choice legislation,” Patrick said. “Thirty-two states, both Republican and Democratic, have passed some form of school choice legislation. There is absolutely no reason why Texas children and their parents should be left behind.”

Abbott also states that school choice is one of his priorities.

Governor holds press conference in Tyler The day after the election, he discussed the future of school choice after every candidate he supported won the election.

The change in the state legislature comes after rural Republicans sided with Democrats to block passage of Abbott’s plan during the last legislative session.

“Since 2015, the Senate has passed school choice five times,” Patrick said. “He died every time in the Republican-controlled House. This is unacceptable and inexcusable. Given the expanding Republican majority in the Texas House, there is no reason for Texas students to be left behind. Parents should be able to make the best decisions for their children so that they can meet their unique needs.” They can receive training.”

Patrick argues that the current system cannot meet the needs of every student.

“A lot of Texas schools are trying to be great, they’re great, and most are good,” Patrick said. “Unfortunately, no matter how hard they try, some schools struggle to meet the unique educational needs that some students require. Parents must be empowered to place their children in the best learning environment, whether it is a public or private school.”

Opponents of using taxpayer money to allow some parents to send their children to private and religious schools fear the program will divert money away from public schools due to declining public school enrollment or the long-term effects of the state allocating more funding to the program.

“Texas can have school choice without undermining the public school system,” Patrick said. “In 2023 (last session), the legislature appropriated $39 billion a year for public education. Last session, the school choice bill the Senate passed three times was $500 million. It died in the House each time. School choice funding was completely separate . Public education funding would be provided to 60,000 of the 5.5 million students in public schools. School choice is clearly not a threat to public education.”

Rural Republicans, who sided with Democrats to end the program in the last session, argued that there were too few private schools in their districts that would allow parents to take advantage of the program.

Them Republican voices are no more After Governor Abbott actively campaigned against them during the primary season.

“Texans across the political spectrum agree that parents should have the option to choose the school that best fits their needs to ensure their child’s success,” Patrick said. “Voters spoke clearly in the primary and general election; school choice in Texas is long overdue.”

Patrick said he hopes Gov. Greg Abbott will make the bill an “emergency item” for the session and allow state lawmakers to pass it early.

Under the Texas Constitution, lawmakers are only allowed to introduce bills during the first 60 days of the session unless an emergency is declared by the governor.

Typically, bills introduced at the beginning of the session are not heard until March, when they go to committees to determine whether they will be heard by the full chamber. Bills present in the full chamber are deemed to have passed the first reading.

Deputies can propose changes and vote during the second reading of the bill.

“If Governor Abbott designates school choice as an urgent issue, the Senate will take up and approve school choice in the first weeks of the session rather than waiting 60 days until March,” Patrick said.

The next legislative term will begin on January 14, 2025.