Earlier: The voucher bill passed along party lines with the six Democrats on the 14-member committee voting against the bill. Only two Democrats, Representative John Bryant and Representative Alma Allen, voted against the committee substitute for HB 2, the House’s public school funding bill. https://www.texasobserver.org/house-ed-committee-approves-vouchers-and-public-school-funding/

Featured story: The Legislature’s current plan to move funds out of public schools would put a handful of private contractors in the driver’s seat. A look at who stands to gain the most, and their shaky track record in other states ... https://www.texasobserver.org/school-vouchers-vendors-millions-legislature/

Vouchers for Ohio private schools score double funding over public schools

The Ohio House's proposed budget INCREASES the private school voucher system BY $500 million and only gives $220 million to public schools. In 2024, Ohio gave over a billion dollars to private school vouchers.

The budget is expected to pass the House.

#Ohio #EdChoice #School #Education #Vouchers

https://www.wcpo.com/news/state/state-ohio/vouchers-for-ohio-private-schools-score-double-funding-over-public-schools

Ohio spent nearly a billion dollars on private school voucher scholarships in 2024

https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/2024/10/25/ohio-spent-nearly-a-billion-dollars-on-private-school-voucher-scholarships-in-2024/

Ohio House budget draft slashes library funding, risking vital services, library advocates say

Analysis by the Ohio #Library Council shows state funding would drop by more than $100 million compared to the governor’s proposal
https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/2025/04/04/ohio-house-budget-draft-slashes-library-funding-risking-vital-services-library-advocates-say/

#PublicSchools Build Connections in #Rural #Communities. #Vouchers Tear Them Down.

https://barnraisingmedia.com/public-schools-build-connections-in-rural-communities-vouchers-tear-them-down/

“There have been significant changes made to these bills, and they’re going to be heard in a closed door meeting that’s not accessible to the public. No livestream. No public comment.”

New from @josephinelee: Vouchers came one step closer to law, along with what Democrats say is a deeply inadequate public ed funding bill. https://www.texasobserver.org/house-ed-committee-approves-vouchers-and-public-school-funding/

Featured: “It’s more government, more bureaucracy, more money, and there’s no oversight. And it’s taxation without representation,. The taxpayers don’t get to pick who these private companies are that our tax dollars are going into. So that is not a free market.” https://www.texasobserver.org/school-vouchers-vendors-millions-legislature/

Featured story: SB 2 stipulates that up to 5% of appropriated funds may go to pay up to 5 outside vendors like ClassWallet, which the legislation calls “certified educational assistance organizations.” If the bill were to pass, these private companies could soon be reeling in tens and even hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars per year. https://www.texasobserver.org/school-vouchers-vendors-millions-legislature/

Boost this forever: 90% of the #vouchers recipients WERE ALREADY ENROLLED IN AND COULD AFFORD #privateschool. #Arizona didn’t get a shoutout in this piece, but let me tell ya as a teacher in the #PoorestState we’re shaking our heads at neighboring states who do so little with so much. #charter #privatization #civilrights #education https://davidpepper.substack.com/p/the-giveaway-trumps-anti-education

Our top story: As Greg Abbott aims to force vouchers through the Texas Legislature during the 89th session, private companies like 'ClassWallet' have descended on the capitol, after the lucrative contracts which could result... https://www.texasobserver.org/school-vouchers-vendors-millions-legislature/

#ICYMI: If the voucher bill were to pass, select private companies could soon be reeling in tens and even hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars per year. We took a closer look at who stands to gain the most.
https://www.texasobserver.org/school-vouchers-vendors-millions-legislature/

“We’re just hoping kids with disabilities aren’t going to have nothing left for them.”

From the archives, by @josephinelee in 2023: Before Texas, there was #Arizona. A look at how their voucher program used vulnerable students to attack public schools. https://www.texasobserver.org/voucher-program-arizona-privitization-public-schools-disabilities/

“It’s more government, more bureaucracy, more money, and there’s no oversight. And it’s taxation without representation,. The taxpayers don’t get to pick who these private companies are that our tax dollars are going into. So that is not a free market.” https://www.texasobserver.org/school-vouchers-vendors-millions-legislature/

#texas #vouchers #politics #publiceducation #abbott #greed

private companies like ClassWallet descending on Capitol to lobby for lucrative contracts This comes as other states drawn scrutiny over myriad problems net cost could balloon to $3.8 billion by 2030. The bill stipulates that up to 5 percent of appropriated funds may go to pay up to five outside vendors like ClassWallet, which the legislation calls “certified educational assistance organizations”

https://www.texasobserver.org/school-vouchers-vendors-millions-legislature/

Our top story: If the voucher bill were to pass, select private companies could soon be reeling in tens and even hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars per year. We took a closer look at who stands to gain the most. https://www.texasobserver.org/school-vouchers-vendors-millions-legislature/

As Greg Abbott aims to force vouchers through the Texas Legislature during the 89th session, private companies like 'ClassWallet' have descended on the capitol, after the lucrative contracts which could result if they're support of the governor's policies pays off. https://www.texasobserver.org/school-vouchers-vendors-millions-legislature/

“If you get $10,000, you’re still $17,000 short. And for most of these families that are poor families, that creates, you know, a mirage that they can now access it.” https://www.texasobserver.org/house-hearing-2025-school-vouchers/

Thousands of affluent students now benefit from NC private school voucher expansion

https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/education/article301843799.html

Our top story: ”It’s taxation without representation. The taxpayers don’t get to pick who these private companies are that our tax dollars are going into. So that is not a free market.” https://www.texasobserver.org/school-vouchers-vendors-millions-legislature/

“If we truly want to support students with #disabilities, we must strengthen, not abandon, our public schools instead of draining money from our public schools. Why not fix our system, fully fund our special ed schools, reduce those class sizes, hire and train more special ed teachers, and expand access to transition programs to prepare students for life after high school?”

https://www.texasobserver.org/house-hearing-2025-school-vouchers/

“What matters is who actually gets the funds; who actually gets admitted; or who’s already been admitted.”

New from @josephinelee: A House committee heard over 23 hours of testimony from those concerned about the future of public education if #vouchers become law. Objections came from both sides of the aisle. https://www.texasobserver.org/house-hearing-2025-school-vouchers/