Texas' fourth special legislative session ends with school choice dangling

If something does not work the first time, try again. That is the old adage. That is exactly what Governor Greg Abbott has done in Austin in trying to get his school voucher program passed. That is, an education savings account that would allow parents to choose to send their children to private school. He has tried one, twice, three times, and now a fourth time, waiting on the House to get their house in order.

Instead, nothing has worked across the sessions, and this time, things even took a step backwards. The $7 billion education bill was gutted by the House, as they stripped school choice from the bill, which was the centerpiece. They then punted it back to committee, and essentially took a knee to run out the clock for the final week or two.

Political consultant Bill Miller says this is not surprising, given the current state of things, and how much people have fought against it.

"It does not have the feel of something that is going to get done with present circumstances...it just feels like it is on a losing streak right now," he says.

Governor Abbott has vowed int he past to just keep calling sessions until the idea is passed to his desk as is. Miller expects that to be the case in early 2024, which will take things right into primary season.

That will present problems on its own, however.

"I would not expect them to be sitting...voting, when their primary opponent is running against them. They just will not be there," he says. "Then you have the question of getting a quorum...people put their own interests first, and they will every time."

Plenty of special sessions have been called before, but remember, this is a part time legislative body, which has now been at work essentially for a year straight. Many of them may just decide to not show up in general if a new one is called.

Rural Republicans have been the staunchest ones against this bill, claiming it will ruin their school districts. So, this fight has become Republican versus Republican basically.

But is there a path forward for the bill? Especially after gutting it like they did? Yes, but it will take some compromising.

"They need to make sure rural districts are not affected by funding problems...and vote on funding before voting on vouchers. The Governor has promised funding if they vote through vouchers...but they do not trust him. They need assurances going forward...that this is a long-term fix," Miller says.