The Texas House of Representatives is considering a voucher system that would allow parents to send their kids to private schools of their choice. At least, that’s the intention. The execution might be more complicated. 

SB 2 is a bill that would take tax dollars and distribute them via a lottery selection system to medium and low-income families to help cover education costs. Each family may receive up to $10,000 in funding. Disabled individuals could receive up to $11,500. While the money can be used to cover private school tuition, it can also be used for behavioral or speech therapy. The bill has already passed the Senate.  

In his official statement, Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick says, “In addition to supporting a robust public education system, which should be the finest in the country, I support SB 2 because I strongly believe that parents deserve a choice in their child’s education.” 

This sentiment is shared by many Republican figures, including President Donald Trump. 

“Congratulations to my friend, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, for the biggest launch of a School Choice program in American History, with $1 Billion Dollars for 100,000 students in Texas,” Trump declares in a Truth Social post. He lauds Patrick’s persistence, as similar bills have died in the Texas House six previous times. Towards the end of his message, he adds, “We need School Choice passed in every state!” 

However, opponents claim that a voucher system could ultimately end up hurting the people it seeks to serve.