Texas comptroller asks Legislature to double voucher program funding to more than $2 billion

The useful part

ABC13 Houston Education Comptroller requests doubling Texas school voucher program to $2 billion Data show that 70% of families using vouchers already attend private schools. Last year, the Legislature approved $1 billion for the rollout and the 2026-27 school year, the first of the program. However, if the state also provided funding to those on the waitlist, that would bring the total to roughly $4 billion over the next two years.

How it works

• Recent state data shows that 70% of families who joined or have pending invites to the program already attended a private school or home-school.
• Legislative budget experts predicted that it could rise to roughly $4.8 billion by 2030.
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• Watch Eyewitness News and ABC13 originals around the clock By Jaden Edison, The Texas Tribune Friday, September 4, 2026 Share Texas' chief financial officer requested that lawmakers double the amount of...
• However, fewer than 30 students have received the full amount.

What to take from it

Roughly 7,300 students who currently attend private schools under the program have a documented disability, receiving the base $10,500 plus an average of more than $5,000 in additional special education funding, according to the request. Huffines requested an additional $226 million to accommodate funding increases for families currently participating in the program. "Many school districts have been forced to close campuses or eliminate programs to tackle budget deficits," the association said in a statement.

Example or evidence

• Children with disabilities qualify for up to $30,000, an amount based on what it would cost to educate that student in a public school.
• Nearly 110,000 students have received funding so far, while more than 106,000 families remain on the waitlist, according to the budget request.
• The Texas Tribune previously reported that tight application deadlines and confusing documentation requirements made it difficult for families of students with disabilities to receive money reserved for...
• That led to officials in the comptroller's office saying they would push for additional funding for those families in future years.

Details worth keeping

Comptroller requests doubling Texas school voucher program to $2 billion. In the appropriations request for 2028–29 biennium, Texas Comptroller Don Huffines asked the Legislature to raise the program's base funding by $1 billion so more families can use taxpayer money to cover private school or home schooling costs. "The Comptroller's Office expects that the interest list will only grow larger as the state continues to promote the program and participating families communicate positive experiences to others in their communities," according to the request.

Related coverage

• Texastribune: This is the first year for education savings accounts, which allow Texas families to use taxpayer dollars for private or home schooling.
• Mysanantonio: This is the first year for education savings accounts, which allow Texas families to use taxpayer dollars for private or home schooling.
• Kxan: In August, Huffines announced that 101,600 students received funding under the program.
• Kxan: Texas Education Freedom Accounts have already launched, but some Democrats are discussing repeal while Republicans are calling for expansion.
• Abc13: Katy ISD has entered Texas' school voucher program through its virtual learning program, a move the district says will provide more educational options for students while generating additional revenue.

Related details

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