Will Trump’s and Musk’s support be key to school choice victory in Texas? | Opinion
This time two years ago, a massive school choice program seemed poised to pass the Texas Legislature.
The effort had overwhelming support from Gov. Greg Abbott, the Texas Senate and plenty of other enthusiasts — from school choice advocate Corey DeAngelis to Fort Worth Catholic Bishop Michael Olson.
With the wind at their backs, it looked like nothing could stop them.
The Texas House did.
After several special sessions and despite a strong Republican majority, the bill failed.
Two years later, having used the Republican primary process to expel most of the state representatives who blocked the bill’s success, school choice proponents have added additional big-name support: President Donald Trump and Elon Musk.
Indeed, the president, whose administration has issued a torrent of major policy decisions in his first weeks back in office, has made known his desires for Texas’ school choice bill, which passed the Senate on Feb. 5.
“Lt. Gov. Patrick has now passed School Choice six times out of the Texas Senate, only to see it die in the Texas House every time, but he never quits,” Trump wrote on his social media site, Truth Social. “The Texas House must now pass School Choice to deliver a gigantic Victory for Texas students and parents. I will be watching them closely,” he added.
Musk shared Trump’s comments about school choice in Texas via his X account on Friday, adding that he hopes Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows will act on the bill.
“If kids only have one school option and it’s bad, then it’s like they never had a chance at all,” he wrote.
Burrows’ Valentine’s Day reply was an AI-generated image of a candy heart saying, “We will.”
How very appropriate.
It would be difficult to deny, in the wake of his astounding victory and his overwhelming success at winning approval for his Cabinet, that Trump — for better or worse — appears to have the Midas touch.
In the early weeks of his second term, he’s already made good on a number of promises that many observers, myself included, believed he would toss to the wayside.
And while he’s been the source of much derision from the left, he’s enjoyed more victories in these early weeks than most would care to admit.
Of course, Trump’s support guarantees nothing when it comes to the Texas House.
Since ridding the House of many detractors after their epic loss last session, school choice advocates have only doubled down on their plans to bring a massive school choice plan to Texas.
This year’s proposal is even more generous and expansive than the previous version. The latest bill would provide $10,000 per student for private education or tutoring, with additional funds for students with learning disabilities, and even $2,000 per child to support homeschooling families.
If passed, it will be the largest school choice package in the nation.
Its chances are certainly better this time around, especially with a Legislature reshaped to support the effort.
Politics is tricky, but Trump’s decision to weigh-in on the debate, at least while he has the political juice to make it happen, is a shot in the arm to school choice proponents.
Let’s hope it’s also a deterrent to those who are hoping for a repeat of 2023.
Look out. Trump is watching.
