Our state legislature is considering school vouchers. According to the Texas Tribune, "Under SB2, any child eligible to attend or already attending a public school could apply to the program." If demand exceeds the saving accounts' funding, children with disabilities and those from "low-income " households would use the majority of the funds.  The bill defines a low-income household  those whose income is "up to 500% of the federal poverty level. That would include any four-person household earning less than roughly $156,000."  This is approximately $100,000 more than TEA's definition of low-income family of four (130 % to 185% of poverty level  or between $40,000 to $57,720 ).
In a fiscal analysis of the bill, the $ 1 billion dollars currently proposed in the legislation is estimated to increase to $4.5 billion by 2030.
(Source: Texas Tribune, Feb 5, 2025). 

An additional concern is that vouchers will have an impact on retired teachers' pensions. Fewer teachers will be employed in public schools resulting in lower contributions into TRS, threatening its financial stability. 

Please contact our  State Representative, Trey Wharton to express you opinion!