Senate passes education savings account bill after heated debate; 19-12

The Senate approved Senate Bill 2 on final passage Tuesday, authorizing an education savings account program intended to allow some families to use public funds for private-school and other education expenses. The motion for final passage was made by Senator Creighton and the Senate recorded 19 ayes and 12 nays.

Why it matters: The bill would redirect a portion of public education funding into accounts that parents could use for private school tuition, tutoring and other education services. Supporters called the program a targeted tool to help special-needs and low-income students; opponents warned the program will siphon money from public districts, exacerbate racial and economic segregation, and leave English learners and students with disabilities without mandated services.

Supporters, led on the floor by Senator Creighton, argued the bill is focused on vulnerable students and expands family choice. Senator Creighton said the bill “weights 80% within a framework to help special needs kids and income vulnerable kids,” described what he said were national studies showing benefits of school choice and moved final passage: “I move final passage of senate bill 2.”

Opponents, including Senators Zaffirini, Johnson, Miles,…