AUSTIN, Texas -- Hundreds of “school choice” supporters rallied at the Texas Capitol on Wednesday.
- Thousands rally for "school choice"
- Sen. Ted Cruz was in attendance
- Rally began at 10 a.m.
For years they've been pushing for greater public funding for charter schools and private school tuition. Top Republican Texas lawmakers have also prioritized it in previous years, but this legislative session that momentum seems to be fading.
This year’s rally had fewer in attendance. Also noticeably absent were Governor Greg Abbott and Lt. Governor Dan Patrick, who both spoke at the event two years ago.
"If we let it die, then there's nobody to carry that banner for us," said one Texas private school teacher.
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, told the crowd he’s continuing his push for "school choice" at the federal level.
But the issue will likely face a tougher crowd inside the State Capitol, where leaders have seemingly set aside spending any public dollars on private schools.
The new Speaker of the Texas House has also said his chamber would not pass legislation backing private school vouchers. The House has consistently voted no on voucher bills in the past, and the November elections ushered in about a half dozen more opponents to the idea.
Instead state lawmakers have shifted their focus to fixing the state's public school finance system.
"The more money that you spend on things like private school vouchers, the less money that you have to spend on public schools," said Clay Robison with the Texas State Teachers Association.
Public education advocates say they're encouraged by the focus shift, but will continue pushing back against any school vouchers or similar programs that could arise.
"I'm sure that there will be some interest in it,” Robison said. “But our hope is that it will remain a discussion and not be acted upon. We will continue to fight vouchers very strongly."
“School choice” advocates said a similar fight will continue from their side, even if the momentum has faded.
"School choice is so important because there are students who can't be as successful in a traditional public education and they need to find the education that suits them best," said Melissa Adams, a teacher at Jubilee Wells Branch charter school in Austin.
The U.S. Assistant Secretary of Elementary and Secondary Education also attended Wednesday’s rally. Click the video link above to watch his interview on Capital Tonight.