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Abbott endorsed the primary opponents of Texas Republican House incumbents who voted against his proposal last year to allow taxpayer dollars to pay for private school tuition of students.
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Abbott, a Republican, called the contribution from Pennsylvania's Jeff Yass the “largest single donation in Texas history.”
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House Bill 1 includes funding for school safety and salary raises for teachers. But the measure’s most controversial provision, one creating a school voucher-like program, was stripped from the bill on Friday afternoon.
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The bill has brought together an unlikely coalition of Republicans and Democrats and may keep lawmakers in Austin even longer.
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A version of the bill that would send public money to private schools passed through a Senate committee on Thursday. Gov. Greg Abbott made such legislation one of his top priorities in this fourth special legislative session.
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Wednesday night’s development comes after months of fierce infighting between GOP lawmakers — and with less than a week left in the current special session. Lawmakers only have until Tuesday, Nov. 7 to send legislation to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk.
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Abbott's announcement Tuesday suggests a renewed effort to divert public funds to private schools. Phelan’s office stopped short of calling it an agreement, saying the Republican speaker “looks forward to having robust discussions on school funding, teacher pay, and other critical issues with his House colleagues."
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Governor Greg Abbott and other supporters of private school vouchers are struggling to make headway in the Texas House, where many lawmakers remain skeptical of a program that would give tax dollars to private and homeschool students.
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The measure could be considered by the full Senate as early as this week.
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Educators, elected officials and families say sending public dollars to private schools will harm already cash-strapped school districts.