How Texas Gov. Greg Abbott might spend $2.9 billion in proposed state border security funds depends largely on how President Donald Trump plans to address challenges at the U.S.-Mexico border, Abbott’s office told Senate budget writers Thursday.

A proposal to create a school voucher-like plan for Texas was advanced by the Texas Senate Education Committee on Tuesday night, giving voucher supporters like Gov. Greg Abbott their first major win of the legislative session.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott received good news on one of his top policy priorities at both the federal and state levels, as the state Legislature is moving forward with an education proposal incorporating vouchers while President Donald Trump signed an executive order making school choice an urgency for the Department of Education.

The education savings account package is the first bill to be sent to the Senate floor this year, reflecting urgency from Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick to pass the legislation after similar proposals died during the 2023 legislative session.

Senate Bill 2, authored by Sen. Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe), would create an "Education Savings Account" (ESA) program that would allow Texas families to use public tax dollars to help pay for private education.

"The die has been cast. That fact is it's gonna pass," Sen. Royce West said during a Tuesday committee hearing. "The question is how you make it a better bill?"

The Texas Senate revealed a bill on Friday to create an education savings accounts program, a top priority for Gov.

The Texas Senate Education Committee on Tuesday night voted to advance school voucher legislation for a full vote in the Senate after hours of public testimony largely focused on whether the proposal would live up to its promise of prioritizing low-income families and children with disabilities.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) wants Congress to reimburse his state for more than $11 billion spent on border security since the start of the Biden administration.

Legislation advances after a budget analysis estimates the cost of the voucher-style program will nearly quadruple in 4 years.

The Texas Senate Education Committee advanced a controversial school voucher bill, SB-2, for a full Senate vote.

Greg Abbott and top lawmakers after a similar bill failed to pass last legislative session. The bill, co-authored by Sen. Brandon Creighton, a Republican from Conroe who chairs the Senate ...