Some Texas GOP lawmakers say governor's primary threats won't sway them on school choice

Some Texas Republican lawmakers who have remained steadfast in their opposition to school choice say they won't back down despite Gov. Greg Abbott’s promise to campaign against those who don’t support the program.

School choice proposals, which would draw on state money to help pay for children’s private education, have been a hot-button issue all year and are taking center stage in this year's third special legislative session. Though the Texas Senate advanced school choice proposals during the regular session in the spring, the House has turned down such measures.

Rep. Stan Lambert, R-Abilene, supports many of Abbott’s priorities, but he said school choice proposals aren't good for the families in his district.

“The people in my district have spoken, and they are the ones who hired me,” Lambert said.

Supporters of the proposal say it will open opportunities to more children, while opponents worry the dollars put into the program will pull money and students from public school districts.

On Thursday, senators spent hours debating and passing Senate Bill 1, authored by Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe. The $500 million proposal would provide $8,000 to each student who was accepted into the program, with priority for low-income and special education students. School choice proposals include vouchers or education savings accounts programs.

More: Texas Senate passed school choice bill; House could give proposal chilly reception

During the regular session, which ended May 29, school choice proposals were blocked in the House largely by Democratic members and a cohort of rural Republicans who worried education savings accounts would harm the public schools that are key institutions in their districts.

Abbott has shown frustration with this roadblock, and in a call with religious leaders last month, he said that if lawmakers don’t pass school choice during a special session, he’ll take the fight to the Republican primary races. GOP lawmakers who buck state Republican leaders' requests have been threatened with having election challengers propped up against them for the March 5 primary.

Despite those threats, at least some House Republicans have insisted they won’t change their votes.

Lambert, the state representative from Abilene, said he appreciates the governor's interest in education, though he recommends the state invest more money in public education, more meaningful assessments of students and pausing the release of A-F scores, a system used to rank school districts. Many school districts are worried that changes to the A-F rating system this year will result in lower scores.

“A rising tide lifts all boats,” Lambert said. “This has been proven by Gov. Abbott’s Texas Miracle and economic growth. Foundational to economic growth is a well-educated workforce.”

While Abbott is advocating for what he thinks is best for Texas students, Rep. Steve Allison, R-San Antonio, who has voted against education savings account programs, said he will act on his own beliefs.

“I’m going to do what’s in the best interest of my constituents,” Allison said.

Abbott’s office didn’t respond to a request for comment about some Republicans' opposition to school choice proposals.

Speaking Thursday night at an event hosted by the Texas Public Policy Foundation, a conservative think tank, Abbott insisted that primary voters support education savings account legislation.

“Large majorities of the people who really go vote, who will be going to vote this February and March in your district, want school choice,” Abbott said. “If you’re going to vote your district, as you want to do, you will vote in favor of school choice.”

Funding public education in Texas

At the Thursday event, Abbott also vowed that he wouldn’t open up this third special session to public school funding proposals until lawmakers pass an education savings account bill.

“Once ESAs are passed, I will put on the legislative call the full funding for public education, including teacher pay raises for teachers across the state of Texas,” Abbott said.

During special sessions, lawmakers are limited to items the governor adds to the agenda. Abbott opened the door for bills dealing with school choice, border security and COVID-19 vaccine mandate restrictions in this special session, but lawmakers have been charging ahead with school funding bills anyway.

The Senate on Thursday also approved SB 2, which proposes to inject $5.2 billion into teacher pay raises, increased safety funding and higher per student spending. About $4 billion of the $5.2 billion proposed in SB 2 were already allocated during the regular session though education funding proposals that would have directed how that money would be used failed to pass due to an impasse on school choice.

The House has not yet advanced any bills in this session.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: School choice: Gov. Greg Abbott's threats not swaying some Republicans