State of Texas - December 29, 2024

We are just weeks away from the start of the next legislative session. At the top of the list for lawmakers is what Governor Abbott calls school choice, or letting parents use public funds to pay for private education. This week, we dig deeper into the debate. We speak to the lawmaker who wrote the bill in the last legislative session, and look at why he's looking to expand the proposal this time around. We also speak to a former teacher who now sits in the State House on why he believes the plan could hurt Texas students. And the opposition goes beyond Democrats versus Republicans. We hear from a rural Republican who faced a lot of pressure after coming out against the Governor's plan for Education Savings Accounts – he voices why he's still skeptical of the plan. Plus, Arizona has had a school choice plan in place for several years. We look at why the plan has drawn praise from parents, while also raising concerns. State of Texas is a statewide, in-depth program focused solely on Texas politics. Produced at KXAN in Austin and airing in 14 markets across the state, the show gives viewers greater perspective on the Texas Legislature, state policy and elections.