Texas Democrat advocates prioritizing public school funding

Texas State Rep. John Bryant opposes a proposed school voucher plan, House Bill 3, which would allocate nearly $11,000 in taxpayer funds for students to attend private schools. He argues that public education, serving 5.5 million students, should be prioritized. The Senate's version, Senate Bill 2, offers $10,000 per student, increasing to $11,500 for students with disabilities. Both plans allow public school students and some private school students to apply for vouchers, with eligibility restrictions based on demand. Bryant claims Texas has underfunded public schools for years, with the current basic allotment at $6,160 per student. He argues that the state's budget surplus results from this underfunding, and he believes more funding is necessary to meet educational needs. House Bill 3 is still in committee, while Senate Bill 2 has passed the Senate.