Texas Border Business
Texas Border Business
On February 8, 2025, President Donald J. Trump publicly congratulated Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick for what he called the “biggest launch of a School Choice program in American history.” In a statement shared via TRUTH Social, Trump lauded the Texas School Choice initiative, which allocates $1 billion in funding to support 100,000 students across the state.
Trump specifically acknowledged the efforts of Senator Brandon Creighton, who played a pivotal role in passing Senate Bill 2 (SB2), the key legislation behind the program. He also commended Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick for his relentless pursuit of School Choice. He highlighted that Patrick had successfully pushed the measure through the Texas Senate six times, only to see it fail in the Texas House on each occasion.
Despite previous setbacks, Trump expressed confidence that the Texas House would now act decisively to pass School Choice into law, declaring:
“Lt. Gov. Patrick has now passed School Choice six times out of the Texas Senate, only to see it die in the Texas House every time, but he never quits. The Texas House must now pass School Choice to deliver a gigantic Victory for Texas students and parents.”
Trump also reiterated his commitment to School Choice on a national level, stating:
“I’ve made School Choice a priority of my Administration. We need School Choice passed in every State!”
The Texas School Choice program aims to expand educational opportunities for families by providing financial support for students to attend private or charter schools, homeschool, or seek specialized education services. Proponents argue that it empowers parents, giving them the flexibility to choose the best educational path for their children. The newly proposed $1 billion fund would help 100,000 students gain access to these alternatives.
This initiative aligns with conservative education policies emphasizing parental rights, education competition, and reduced government control over schooling choices. With Trump’s endorsement, the push for School Choice in Texas is gaining national attention and could influence similar policies in other states.
Despite the momentum behind the program, opposition in the Texas House remains a significant obstacle. While the Texas Senate, led by Dan Patrick, has consistently supported School Choice, the House has repeatedly blocked or stalled such efforts, often due to concerns from rural Republican lawmakers who fear the policy could divert funding from public schools in their districts.
As the Texas House prepares to take up the measure, all eyes will be on lawmakers to see if they finally pass the long-debated policy. With Trump pledging to watch the process closely, his influence could play a crucial role in pressuring legislators to act.
The Texas School Choice program represents a historic shift in education policy, and with Trump’s endorsement, it could serve as a model for other states looking to implement similar initiatives. Whether Texas will ultimately pass the measure remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—the debate over School Choice is far from over, and it is now firmly on the national stage.
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