KXAN Austin

Just days after Governor Greg Abbott laid out his priorities for lawmakers in his State of the State address, Senate lawmakers pushed through one of his top priorities. Texas Senators voted Wednesday evening to approve Senate Bill 2, the piece of legislation carrying an education savings accounts (ESA) program. Before the vote, State Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, the author of the bill, blasted opponents of the legislation. His impassioned speech on the Senate floor came after an hour of speeches by Senate Democrats, many raising concerns about the effect the bill could have on public schools. The ESA program would provide $10,000 a year to a student who attends an accredited private school in Texas. It would also provide $11,500 for students with disabilities and $2,000 for students who are homeschooled.