Texas comptroller seeks to double school voucher funding to over $2 billion

The Texas Comptroller’s Office has submitted a budget request for the 2028-29 biennium that would raise the state’s private-school voucher program’s funding by $1 billion, bringing total allocations to more than $2 billion. An additional $226 million is sought to cover increased costs for families currently using the vouchers, which began this school year. Comptroller Don Huffines says the program’s popularity will rise as families share favorable outcomes and cites a moral duty to support children.

The Texas State Teachers Association criticized the proposal, calling for detailed data on voucher participants and warning that diverting tax dollars could strain already tight public-school budgets. Lawmakers will consider the two-year budget when the legislative session reconvenes in January.