Gov. Abbott and Speaker Phelan Unite on Property Taxes, Opening Doors for School Vouchers in Texas

This year’s regular legislative session ended without progress on two of Gov. Greg Abbott’s key priorities: property tax cuts and school vouchers. Fortunately, Gov. Abbott and Speaker Phelan unexpectedly unite regarding property tax reduction, KSAT reported.

Speaker Phelan recently announced the formation of a 15-member committee dedicated to exploring “educational opportunities” for Texas students.

This committee’s primary task is to compile a report outlining the existing learning options available to students and proposing additional choices. The report is scheduled for submission by August 11, ahead of an anticipated special session focused on school vouchers.

While it remains uncertain whether Phelan’s education committee will sway the House’s stance on school vouchers, the collaboration between Abbott and Phelan on property taxes has shown promising results.

At the end of the regular session, the House and Senate reached an impasse regarding property tax cuts. In response, Phelan introduced a House proposal, supported by Abbott, aiming to allocate $12.3 billion to school districts.

This allocation would enable the districts to lower their tax rates through a process known as tax rate “compression.”

The proposal championed by Gov. Abbott and Speaker Phelan diverged from Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick‘s approach, which allocated the same amount of funds for property tax cuts but included provisions for compression and an increase in the state’s homestead exemption.

Despite Patrick’s stance, Phelan chose not to negotiate with the Senate during the subsequent special session, aligning with Abbott’s focus solely on compression. Abbott’s recent change in approach has encouraged both chambers to seek a compromise.

READ ALSO: Texas House Tax Cut Package Criticized By Lt. Gov. Patrick; “They Just Need To Come Back.”

Impacts of Gov. Abbott and Speaker Phelan’s Collaboration

The collaboration between Gov. Abbott and Speaker Phelan on property taxes may yield positive outcomes for the school voucher campaign as well.

Both Abbott and Patrick prioritized the passage of a voucher-like program, with Abbott personally advocating for the initiative across the state.

Conversely, the House has historically opposed legislation that would establish such a program, considering it a threat to the public education system.

During the regular session, the House blocked the Senate’s attempt to pass a voucher-like program through House Bill 100, a $4.5 billion school finance bill.

While the proposal would have provided additional funding for teacher raises and operational expenses, it ultimately failed due to the House’s refusal to compromise on school vouchers.

Rep. Ken King, a Republican, expressed his disappointment but affirmed his commitment to the existing laws rather than accepting the Senate’s proposal.

The House’s stance on school vouchers may be influenced by Phelan’s support, although Democratic Rep. James Talarico remains confident that the House will continue to oppose vouchers.

Critics of vouchers, such as Shannon Holmes from the Association of Texas Professional Educators, argue that school vouchers and funding for public schools should not be linked.

They maintain that the Legislature has a constitutional duty to support public education without diverting funds to private schools.

The new committee, led by Rep. Brad Buckley, aims not only to explore school voucher options but also to improve educational outcomes, modernize assessments and accountability systems, and support educators. In the regular session, lawmakers failed to allocate funds for teacher raises or address budget shortfalls, despite a substantial $32.7 billion surplus.

With the collaborative efforts of Gov. Abbott and Speaker Phelan and the newly formed committee, Texas may witness progress on both property tax reduction and school vouchers, potentially reshaping the educational landscape in the state.

READ ALSO: Texas Public Schools Face Budget Concerns As Legislative Funding Promises Fall Short