Thursday, February 27, 2025

Good Thursday morning. If you can believe it, The Second Reading Podcast invited me to be guest. I'm excited to record with them today, and then to finally launch my influencer career.

Get in touch: greg@gregcox.law

"The Texas House has the votes." It's happening. Rep. Brad Buckley's ESA bill – HB 3 – now has 75 co-authors in the House. I'm just a reading and writing guy, but I can count to 76. And 75 co-authors plus the author himself – plus the Speaker – means you have the votes to pass school choice in the House.

Gov. Abbott was quick to praise the announcement. “For the first time in our great state’s history, the Texas House has the votes to pass a universal school choice program,” he said in a statement. “This is a remarkable achievement for the countless parents, students, and educators across Texas who want school choice expanded to all Texas families. This truly was a team effort. I thank Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, Speaker Burrows, Chairman Creighton, Chairman Buckley, and members of both the Texas House and Senate for fighting for parents' right to choose the best education path for their child."

Republicans not listed as authors are Reps. Jeff Barry, Drew Darby, Jay Dean, Charlie Geren, Ryan Guillen, Sam Harless, Brian Harrison, Ken King, Stan Lambert, Dade Phelan, and Gary VanDeaver. The names in italics voted for the Raney Amendment in 2023. Governor Abbott has been working these members pretty hard, particularly Ken King and Jay Dean.

While Phelan was Speaker last session and was 'Present Not Voting' on the Raney Amendment, he has not yet voiced support for HB 3. And he told the Texas Tribune's Jasper Scherer yesterday that he is still undecided. His particular hangup seems to be the lack of an accountability mechanism, or what some call "no strings attached." This has also been Barry's hangup.