AUSTIN, Texas — School choice is shaping up to be one of the toughest fights this Texas legislative session. It would allow parents to use taxpayer dollars to send their kids to private schools. It's a top priority for Gov. Greg Abbott, who's traveling the state trying to make the case to Texans.

But it's typically been a tough sell in the Texas House, where such proposals have met resistance from Democrats and rural Republican lawmakers where public schools are major employers in their districts.

During an interview on Capital Tonight Thursday, Abbott said rural Republican voters overwhelmingly support it. He also added parents want options citing more support since the COVID-19 pandemic. Republicans have been critical of pandemic-related school closures, certain library books and methods of teaching about slavery in social studies courses.

“The sale of this is easier than it’s ever been,” Abbott said.

When asked about the Biden administration announcing its most restrictive policy yet aimed at curbing the surge of migrants which would mean asylum-seekers who cross illegally would be deported, Abbott said he’s in favor of it. Democrats and immigrant rights groups are opposed.

“I support the plan but I don’t trust the president doing it,” he said. “We’re going to have to wait and see if he really lives up to standards that will really reduce people crossing the border.”

The governor side-stepped questions about whether his border security stance sets him up politically for 2024. He’s seen as a potential presidential contender.

“I’m focused only on this session this year and only on the state of Texas,” Abbott said.

On Attorney General Ken Paxton’s tentative $3.3 million settlement to end a whistleblower lawsuit brought by former deputies which would have to be approved by the Legislature, and ultimately the governor, Abbott did not voice outright opposition.

“It depends. We have to see what the attorney general explains to the House and Senate. It may not even make it to my desk,” Abbott said.