AUSTIN, Texas — Tuesday was the second day of the third special session of the Texas Legislature, and the Senate got to work quickly. It advanced education and border security bills out of committee. Gov. Greg Abbott tasked lawmakers with finally passing his priority bills.
Texas senators on the education committee discussed their main bill to establish education savings accounts.
“This program will give students who need a fighting chance the opportunities to find an education that they personally need and would succeed with,” said Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe.
Sen. Creighton authored Senate Bill 1, which would allow families access to $8,000 of taxpayer money to pay for private schools, among other educational expenses. The Texas House has repeatedly rejected vouchers, with rural Republicans joining Democrats to fight against any program that would take money away from public schools. But Sen. Creighton says the program will not take money away from public schools because the funding would come from general revenue. He also filed a separate bill to pump more money into the public education system and give teachers raises.
“There can be harmony between all of these efforts together,” Sen. Creighton said.
While some Republicans on the committee voiced their support for the legislation, Democrats expressed several concerns, including accountability. Sen. Creighton’s bill would not require private school students to take standardized tests. Democrats also question how equitable it is.
“It's not the parents that I'm second guessing,” said Sen. José Menéndez, D-San Antonio. “It’s whether or not every one of our constituents has an equitable opportunity to attend if we choose to provide them an ESA. That's all.”
Senators also debated border-related bills. The governor is calling on lawmakers to create a criminal offense for migrants who enter Texas illegally, increase penalties for human smuggling and continue funding border barrier construction.
“Currently, the sentence is two to 10 years,” said Sen. Pete Flores, R-Pleasanton. “In effect, this would be a five-year minimum, so there's no getting away. [We’re] actually doubling the amount of the minimum sentence.”
Sen. Flores is carrying the bill to increase penalties for human smuggling.
Now that the education and border measures have passed out of committee, they will be heard by the full Senate next. Similar bills failed during the regular session, and with division among House and Senate leaders, it remains to be seen how far they go this time.