Texas House Democrats Leverage GOP Agenda to Demand Vote on Statewide School Vouchers

House Democrats are taking a firm stand in Texas, threatening to block all constitutional amendments unless a school voucher proposal is put to voters in November. Over 50 Democrats in the House support this move, which could significantly limit the ability of lawmakers to propose constitutional changes.

This situation arises as Governor Greg Abbott seeks to solidify his legislative agenda, particularly focusing on education savings accounts. Democrats see this maneuver as one of their last tools for influence, considering that recent changes by House Republicans stripped the minority party of key committee leadership roles.

To change the state constitution, any amendment requires at least 100 votes in the 150-member House. With 62 Democrats, Republicans need at least 12 Democrats’ support for any amendment to pass.

Several major issues hang in the balance due to this standoff. For example, one proposed amendment would allow judges to deny bail for serious offenses, and Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick has warned that failure to pass this could lead to a special session.

Currently, progress on constitutional amendments seems stalled, with no proposals adopted since earlier in the month. Recent resolutions aimed at reducing property taxes and banning taxes on financial transactions have faced delays as well. A Republican representative who opposes vouchers recently postponed a resolution related to funding for Texas State Technical College.

All amendments must be approved by voters in November to become law. If Democrats succeed, the education savings account program will also be placed on the ballot. This would complicate matters for voucher supporters, as no state has successfully passed a voucher initiative through ballot measures, despite indications that a majority of Texas voters might back such programs.

Polling has shown that there is some support for vouchers, but implementing them would involve a costly and contentious campaign. It’s a high-stakes situation for both sides as they prepare for the upcoming vote.

For further context on statewide political trends, you can visit Texas Tribune, a trusted source for Texas news and analysis.

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