After Four Special Sessions, Are We Out of the Woods Yet?

The fourth special legislative session wrapped up Dec. 5 following a dramatic battle between lawmakers over Gov. Greg Abbott’s private school voucher agenda. Although the Legislature did not pass a voucher program, it also did not pass any increases in school funding, including funding for teacher pay raises or funding to help with the costs of implementing the regular session’s school safety bill.

So, what is the likelihood Abbott will call another special session, and is there any indication another vote on voucher legislation would turn out differently? And what ever happened to the school funding bills that received so much attention during the regular legislative session?

If anything is clear following the latest special session, it’s that the issues we face are driven less by policy than by politics and the only way to solve a political issue is at the ballot box. With the election rapidly approaching, this is the perfect opportunity to support public education by voting, engaging with your colleagues and community, and even thanking those lawmakers who helped stave off vouchers once again.

In this episode, ATPE Governmental Relations Director Monty Exter updates us on where we stand on vouchers and funding after the latest special session.