AUSTIN, Texas — When elected in January, Rep. Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, was called a counterfeit speaker, but just a few weeks later, he was called the smartest man in the House.

Burrows is in his first term as speaker of the Texas House, one of the most powerful positions in state government.

During the race for speaker, both the governor and lieutenant governor openly supported Burrows’ opponent. And in the final vote, Burrows won the gavel with mostly Democratic votes. More Republicans voted for his opponent.

But because of Burrows’ strong support of school vouchers, he is now earning high praise from Texas’ top Republicans.

Up until 2021, Burrows voted with opponents of vouchers on the test vote that used to come up every year in the budget, often referred to as the Herrero amendment. Now, Burrows says he supports vouchers.

“I want to be very clear; I’m a firm believer that we can both fund public education and have other opportunities for more children. You know my children, all three of them are in public schools. Nothing is going to change. It is the right choice for them, but I also realize that they’re unique and different and all children are unique and different and parents, parents ultimately have a very good sense of where their children are going to thrive the best,” Burrows said. “And so I think that finally the time is now, and I believe that we’ll have school choice that passes in Texas this session.”

Burrows also believes that a bill to provide more public school funding can pass without a voucher bill.

“House Bill 2, you know other than the budget, is the lowest number house bill, meaning it is a top priority for us. This school funding plan is the biggest in the history of the state of Texas. It is a very big robust plan for public education,” Burrows said. “There was fantastic testimony last week you know on the school finance bill. I know that Chairman [Brad] Buckley and the entire public education committee is working to even make the bill better and stronger and listening to the concerns of our educators, our superintendents and parents. So I really look forward to the progress on it.”

There is criticism that a $220 increase to the basic allotment—the amount of funding schools receive per student—isn’t enough for public schools, but Burrows don’t believe that paints a full picture.

“The current version of the bill that is at a cost of $3.2 billion because of all the different weights and formulas,” he said. “My expectation is it’s going to have broad support from members of both parties when this bill moves through the process because it does a lot of good things, and there’s things other than the basic allotment that are important. You look at what special education funding in that bill, something I’m particularly proud of that we’re working on. I think it really hits the mark in the needs of what’s the end of the state at this moment.”

And Burrows says he believes support for vouchers will only grow.

“I am supportive of it. You know typically a speaker does support the priority items they have laid out, and so, you know, it is my intention to support this as I’ve been doing,” said Burrows. “I think it’s important for the House to have this on the floor. I think it’s important to have the debate and I think it will pass and I will be supporting it.” 

The speaker also commented on the ongoing investigations into the Texas Lottery Commission over its regulation, or lack thereof, of lottery courier services.

“The commission is under Sunset right now, and you know, I think there’s going to be a lot of change that’s coming. I don’t know exactly what it is, but I’m going to rely upon my members who’ve been working on this issue to figure out what the right solution is,” he said.

Burrows also shared his thoughts on expanding gambling in Texas, something the governor has expressed an openness to. But Burrows took an opposite stance, saying he doesn’t think that will happen this session.