Texas Republicans have cheered for school choice this week as the Texas Senate passed Senate Bill 2. The praise and applause for expanding school choice has come to a halt as Texas Senator Brandon Creighton (R) accuses detractors of falling victim to “School Choice Derangement Syndrome.”
After its passing, Senate Bill 2 was hailed as a major expansion of school choice in Texas. Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) has championed the bill, and Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick (R) has also backed the bill.
However, Republicans across the state aren’t all cheering for the bill.
Among the bill’s critics is Hollie Plemons (R), the Tarrant County GOP Precinct Chair, who recently argued that Senate Bill 2 will significantly increase taxpayer spending while limiting true educational choice.
The latest Texas voucher bill, SB2, fiscal note is beyond telling.
It states there are 350k students currently in Texas private schools & the bill will take 245k of them by 2030 & give them a voucher for a yearly cost to taxpayers of $2,450,000,000.
Taxpayers will pay $2.45… pic.twitter.com/AhHHZQdT3F
— Hollie Plemons (@Hollie_Plemons) February 5, 2025
On X, she explained that “the bill states there are 350k students currently in Texas private schools & the bill will take 245k of them by 2030 & give them a voucher for a yearly cost to taxpayers of $2,450,000.” “Taxpayers will pay $2.45 BILLION each year for students that were formerly not being funded by taxpayers,” she added, noting that “this leaves only some homeschoolers & 105k private school students not in Texas government education.”
Texas Rep. Glenn Rogers (R) also shared his concerns over the bill, calling it a “vendor bill” and accusing state Senator Creighton of being “an accomplice in this charade and power grab.”
SB 2 is a vendor bill. Senator Creighton is an accomplice in this charade and government power grab. Illegals are eligible for vouchers. DEI is imbedded in private schools that could receive vouchers (ESA’s). This will result in government intrusion into home and private schools.…
— Glenn Rogers (@RogersForTexas) February 7, 2025
“Illegals are eligible for vouchers. DEI is imbedded in private schools that could receive vouchers (ESA’s),” he warned, adding that “this will result in government intrusion into home and private schools.”
“Creating a new multi-billion dollar entitlement program is not conservative.”
State Senator Creighton responded to critics, dismissing any concerns and attributing the criticism to “School Choice Derangement Syndrome.” Instead, he defended the bill by pointing to declining student performance in Texas public schools.”
School Choice Derangement Syndrome is real. First, it was a 'voucher scheme.' Then a 'scam.' Oh wait—people hate billionaires? Let’s blame them! Still not sticking? Time to scare the parents and teachers. And when all else fails... just call it racist! Opponents of school choice… pic.twitter.com/5sgCF6baWV
— Brandon Creighton (@CreightonForTX) February 6, 2025
“We have all seen the numbers,” he countered on social media. “NAEP scores are falling.”
“A majority of Texas 3rd and 8th graders are not on grade level in reading and math. Despite the hard work of our teachers that we value and respect, and the billions spent in our state budget, too many students are being left behind. That is unacceptable,” he argued.
State Rep. Nate Schatzline (R) recently commented that he’s ready to vote for companion legislation in the Texas House, so time will tell if Texas House Republicans will agree on the school choice effort.
