A proposal to create a school voucher-like plan for Texas was advanced by the Texas Senate Education Committee on Tuesday night, giving voucher supporters like Gov. Greg Abbott their first major win of the legislative session.

After hours of testimony Tuesday, the Senate Committee on Education advanced Senate Bill 2, a school voucher bill, setting it up for a floor vote.

The Senate could vote on the proposal as soon as next week. Democrats on Tuesday criticized the bill saying it fails to prioritize the state’s neediest children.

Texas lawmakers debate a bill that would let families use public funds for private and home schools, raising concerns over equity and legality.

House Bill 1 and Senate Bill 1, Jan. 22. The proposals include billions of dollars for border security, property tax cuts, public school funding, water infrastructure and private school vouchers.

Senate Bill 2, authored by Sen. Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe), would create an "Education Savings Account" (ESA) program that would allow Texas families to use public tax dollars to help pay for private education.

The Texas Senate Education Committee advanced a controversial school voucher bill, SB-2, for a full Senate vote.

Late Tuesday night the Texas Education Committee voted to advance State Bill 2 with a 9-2 Republican majority pushing the bill forward despite facing opposition on both sides of the political aisle.

"We're going to pass it out before next Wednesday and we're going to send it over there like a rocket ship next week," Patrick said.

The proposal, a priority of Gov. Greg Abbott, budgets $1 billion over the next two years to fund the private school vouchers.

Budget estimates released Tuesday showed the cost of the Texas Senate’s “school choice” bill would nearly quadruple in four years. The analysis from the Legislative Budget Board came shortly before GOP lawmakers gave the proposal – Senate Bill 2 – a cozy reception in the Senate’s Education K-16 Committee.

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