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Next month, Gov. Greg Abbott announced that his highly anticipated special session on “school choice” will commence. He also warned lawmakers of potential political repercussions if they obstruct his priority legislation.
During a tele-town hall discussing the issue, Abbott expressed that there are two approaches to accomplishing it: an easy way and a hard way. He emphasized that they are open to pursuing it through a special session or after an election.
Lawmakers have been anticipating the commencement of the special session in October for quite some time now. However, Governor Abbott’s recent statement provides the most precise information regarding the timing. Furthermore, his direct comments regarding the political aspects signify an increased level of pressure on the Texas House Republicans, who have impeded progress on the proposal.
Abbott stated that if they do not succeed in the initial special session, there will be another special session and they will persist. If they still do not achieve success, Abbott believes it is necessary to let the voters decide.
Abbott further stated that we will ensure that everything is prepared in such a manner that primary voters will have a selection to make.
Abbott commenced this year with an unprecedented determination to push for “school choice,” a proposition that would allow parents to utilize taxpayer funds to withdraw their children from public schools. However, this concept has consistently faced opposition in the House, where a united front of Democrats and rural Republicans have thwarted its progress.
The coalition maintained its strength throughout the regular legislative session, effectively preventing any school choice proposal from being brought to the House floor.
After the conclusion of the regular session, Abbott made a commitment to convene several special sessions to address pending matters, including school choice. Since then, the divisions between the House and Senate have worsened, as evidenced by consecutive special sessions dedicated to resolving the property tax deadlock and subsequently conducting the impeachment trial of Attorney General Ken Paxton.
Following the Senate’s decision on Saturday, the trial concluded with Paxton being acquitted on all 16 articles of impeachment. This came after the House had previously voted in favor of impeaching him in May. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick criticized the impeachment process carried out by the House, but House Speaker Dade Phelan, also a Republican, responded by accusing Patrick of harboring biased opinions throughout the proceedings.
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