The 89th Texas Legislature concluded with sweeping reforms that could redefine the future of public education in the state. Two major bills were passed: Senate Bill 2, a $1 billion initiative creating a Controversial Voucher Program -style Education Savings Account (ESA) program, and House Bill 2, which allocates $8.5 billion in public school funding. These bills reflect the state’s conservative push in education, heavily backed by Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who both hailed the outcomes as legislative victories.
However, public education advocates voiced concern over the direction taken. Max Rombado, legislative director for the education-focused nonprofit Raise Your Hand Texas, stated that education has become a central flashpoint in Texas politics. “Public education has become a central battleground,” Rombado said, pointing to widening divisions within the state’s GOP and growing public unease.
School Funding Falls Short Despite $8.5 Billion Injection Because of Controversial Voucher Program
House Bill 2 has earmarked $8.5 billion for public education, with $3.7 billion designated for teacher raises and $500 million for other school staff. However, critics argue the amount falls significantly short of what’s needed. Libby Cohen, executive director of Raise Your Hand Texas, noted that the funds represent less than half of the $19.6 billion schools require to maintain their 2019 purchasing power.
An expected increase of $340 in per-student funding was negotiated down to just $55. This limited boost in the basic allotment can be used at the schools’ discretion, but fails to close the gap between Texas and national teacher pay averages. Bob Popinski, a senior policy director at the nonprofit, highlighted that Texas remains $8,800 behind the national average for teacher salaries.
Meanwhile, concerns persist about the effectiveness of the newly approved ESA program. Cohen questioned whether it would genuinely provide new options for Texas families or primarily serve those already attending private institutions. Critics also worry that the program may gradually expand into a large entitlement system, diverting more public funds away from traditional schools.
Political Pressure and Fallout Shape Education Legislation
The ESA program, passed through Senate Bill 2, marked a dramatic shift from previous legislative sessions. Abbott’s aggressive campaign against voucher-opposing lawmakers reshaped the political environment. Of the 21 Republican representatives who blocked a similar proposal in 2023, only six retained their seats in 2025, just one of whom continued to oppose the Controversial Voucher Program. Rombado called it a “clear message” that resistance to vouchers now comes with political consequences.
Although the original version of SB 2 was more expansive, public pushback led to several key amendments. These included income caps for eligibility and accreditation requirements for participating private schools. Despite the opposition, Rombado acknowledged that advocacy efforts successfully narrowed the bill’s scope.
Notably, one major proposal failed: House Bill 4, which aimed to overhaul the STAAR testing system and revamp the TEA’s school accountability formula. Disagreements between the House and Senate on evaluation methods ultimately killed the bill. Cohen called the missed opportunity disappointing, saying Texas still lacks a comprehensive, student-centered assessment model.
“This session wasn’t just about education policy,” Rombado concluded. “It was about power, pressure, and political consequences.”
