Gov. Greg Abbott speaks on the north steps of the State Capitol to supporters at a Texas Public Policy Foundation Parent Empowerment rally on Tuesday, March 21, 2023 in Austin. Abbott and his supporters are pushing to have a voucher system, also known as school choice.

Ads from the Family Empowerment Coalition PAC are targeting at least a dozen Republican state House members who voted to strip the voucher proposal from a $7 billion education funding bill in November.

Spectators in the House gallery await debate on HB1 the school voucher bill lust before noon on November 17, 2023.

Republican leaders are fast-tracking the first step in privatizing Texas public schools, proving that when billionaires spend tens of millions to buy politicians, they get results.

The Texas Senate Education Committee on Tuesday approved Senate Bill 2, which would set aside $1 billion in taxpayer money to give some parents $10,000 vouchers to spend at private schools. Experience proves this bill is the proverbial camel’s nose under the tent.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick made the voucher bill second only to the state budget to signify the importance he places on passing it. Gov. Greg Abbott will officially name SB2 an emergency item on Sunday, granting the Legislature permission to pass it quickly.

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Pennsylvania billionaire Jeff Yass donated $10 million to Abbott’s campaign chest last year and $6 million to other politicians to defeat Republicans who have opposed school vouchers. West Texas billionaires Tim Dunn and Farris Wilks have also given millions to Abbott, Patrick and other Republicans in their bid to close public schools, which they........

© Houston Chronicle