Gov. Greg Abbott pitches education savings accounts, pledges full funding for public schools

Governor Greg Abbott, joined by parents Monica Hess, Shana Morrison and Celeste Green, urged lawmakers to approve Education Savings Accounts (ESAs), saying the proposal would expand parents’ options while leaving public-school funding intact.

“We're not gonna take a single penny from public schools to pay for school choice,” Abbott said at the event, adding that the state would ‘‘fully fund public schools’’ during the legislative session and provide what he described as the largest teacher pay increase in state history.

Abbott said the ESA proposal would create a separate pool of money for school choice and argued the program would be smaller than Texas’ charter school program. "Charter schools haven't destroyed public schools, neither will, school choice," he said, and added that more than 30 states already have some form of school choice.

The proposal discussed at the event would include an approximate $10,000 account per child, a figure raised by the moderator; parents and Abbott both discussed whether that amount would be sufficient. "Anything towards my son's education is beneficial for me and for him," Shana Morrison said when asked whether $10,000 would meet her family’s needs. Abbott said many private schools cost less than $10,000 and that schools that charge more could offer scholarships to bridge gaps.

Parent Celeste Green described withdrawing her son from public school after he experienced violence in junior high, saying homeschooling and access to ESAs would have helped her family. "I felt confident homeschooling my child," she said, describing her experience as a second-generation homeschooler and a former forensic psychologist.

Addressing concerns that public funds could subsidize religious instruction, Abbott referenced the United States Supreme Court and said excluding schools because of religion would violate the Constitution; he also said eligibility would be limited to accredited schools under the proposal. He argued that allowing school choice can improve both private and public schools through competition.

When asked why the proposal should not be put to voters, Abbott cited his opposition to frequent ballot measures and said he would not allow Texas to adopt California’s approach to ballot initiatives.

No formal legislation or vote took place at the event; the appearance was a public advocacy and informational forum aimed at building support with parents and the public ahead of the legislative session.

The next procedural step is for lawmakers to introduce and consider legislation during the upcoming legislative session; supporters at the event urged lawmakers to move forward with an ESA program.