Jonathan Szedeli

The Texas House and Senate are discussing a new bill that could affect how taxes are appropriated to public education.  Jonathan Szedeli (Zitley) has more in this Bobcat Update.

Texas Senate Bill 3, more commonly referred to as the voucher or school choice bill, is making its way through the House where there has been much debate.  Opponents claim that the bill will further take away public tax dollars from an already underfunded  public school system.  Numerous organizations, such as the Texas State Teachers Association, have denounced the bill.
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Many proponents of the bill believe their tax dollars should follow their children. They want to be allowed to choose where the money is spent.  Under the bill's provisions, students would have access to an educational savings  account that could cover 75 percent of the state's operating costs.  This appeals to those who prefer a private, religious or home school education.
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Hundreds of students, teachers, parents and politicians converged on the state capital this past weekend to voice their opinions on the matter.
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The Senate Committee on Education voted to send the bill to the full Texas Senate after hearing 14 hours of testimony.  Governor Greg Abbott and Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick back the measure and are expected to send it  to the Senate floor for a full vote as early as this week. 
SB (Standup)