| Vote Recommendation | Economic Freedom | Property Rights | Personal Responsibility | Limited Government | Individual Liberty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Positive | Positive |
Relating to the establishment of the Family Educational Relief
Program and an insurance premium tax credit for contributions made
for purposes of that program.
Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related
Funds for SB1968, Committee Report 1st House, Substituted: a negative impact of
($200,820,500) through the biennium ending August 31, 2023. The Comptroller of
Public Accounts would be required to implement this Act only if the Legislature
appropriates money specifically for that purpose. If the legislature does not
appropriate money specifically for that purpose, the Comptroller may, but is
not required to, implement the Act using other appropriations available for the
purpose. The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis
for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.
SB 1968 would require the comptroller to establish the Family Educational Relief Program, a form of Education Savings Account, to provide funding for eligible parents and guardians to choose from public, private, charter, or homeschool options for their children's education.
The fund would only be allowed to pay for the following: 1) tuition and fees at a private school, public or private institution of higher education or a private or for an online educational course or program, 2) textbooks or other instructional materials or uniforms required by a school, institution, course, or program 3) private tutors, and 4) fees for educational therapies or services provided by a practitioner or provider, only for fees that are not covered by any federal, state, or local government benefits such as Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) or by any private insurance that the child is enrolled in at the time of receiving the therapies or services.
Students would be eligible to apply for these funds only if they 1) are eligible to attend a public school 2) attended a public school during the entire preceding school year, and 3) qualify for the national free or reduced-price lunch program.
Texas Action supports SB 1968 on the principle of limited government and individual liberty by enacting school choice on a limited, means tested basis. This would greatly aid the right of parents to choose the best education for their children and limit government overregulation of schooling.