In the first two days of the 2027 legislative session, Texas Democrats filed five House bills and two Senate bills aimed at repealing the state’s Education Freedom Accounts (EFA) program. The EFAs allow families to receive state‑funded vouchers for private‑school tuition and other approved educational expenses; the comptroller reported that more than 100,000 students have benefited from the program.
Legislative proposals
State Sen. Royce West (D‑Dallas) introduced Senate Bill 294, joined by nine other Democratic senators including Sen. Taylor Rehmet (D‑Fort Worth). The bill would terminate the EFA program effective September 1, 2027. In the House, newly elected Rep. Zach Herbert (D‑District 112) and Rep. Katie O’Brien Duzan (D‑District 94) filed Bills 675 and 1081, respectively, targeting the same funding mechanism.
Political context
The filing comes after the November 3 election, which gave Democrats control of the Texas House and the governor’s office, ending more than two decades of unified Republican leadership. Gov.-elect Gina Hinojosa (D) has pledged to end the EFA program and redirect the funds to public schools. Republicans retained a majority in the Senate, meaning any repeal effort must clear both chambers before reaching the governor.
Response from Moms for Liberty
Christie Slape, a Texas ambassador for Moms for Liberty and a legislative‑committee leader, warned that the Senate could roll back several protections the group supported last session. “Moms for Liberty is dedicated to the survival of America by unifying, educating and empowering parents to defend their parental rights at all levels of government,” Slape said. She emphasized concerns over potential loss of legislation protecting girls’ sports, private spaces, school‑choice options, library‑book boundaries, and the Parental Bill of Rights.
Denise Bell, chair of the group’s Harris County chapter, stressed the organization’s non‑partisan stance and its intent to work with elected officials from both parties. “We will continue to protect our children’s education, medical care and moral upbringing,” Bell told The Dallas Express, adding that the group is ready to collaborate on issues such as AI guardrails in schools, reduced screen time, and healthier school lunches.
Related legislative measures
Senate Bill 12, already passed, expands parents’ rights to review instructional materials and to consent to certain student surveys and screenings. Senate Bill 13 gives parents the ability to limit what their children can check out from school libraries. Texas also maintains rules for girls’ school sports and shared restrooms based on biological sex.
Broader implications
Democratic gains in the Texas House also affect the State Board of Education, where a narrow victory by Democrat Dana Van de Walker over incumbent Audrey Young could give the board an 8‑7 Democratic majority. The board sets curriculum standards and votes on instructional materials, a process that includes public comment periods and multiple readings before implementation.
The 90th Texas Legislature is set to convene on January 12, 2027. Stakeholders on all sides will be watching closely as the bills move through committee hearings and floor debates, with the fate of the school‑choice program and related parental‑rights measures hanging in the balance.
Original reporting: The Dallas Express — read the source article.
