AUSTIN (WBAP/KLIF News ) – The battle among Texas Republican lawmakers continues after the fourth special legislative session ended with unfinished business this week.
The House adjourned sine die on Tuesday, a day earlier than the 30 days allotted for the special session.
Afterwards, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick placed direct blame on House Speaker Dade Phelan and called him “impossible to work with.”
A few months earlier, Patrick called on Phelan to resign for supporting the impeachment trial of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.
Governor Greg Abbott’s priority item of school choice did not pass, neither did increased pay for teachers, funding for school security or election-related bills.
School choice became a polarizing issue among lawmakers and educators. The Governor’s plan, which was passed by the Senate, would create Education Savings Accounts that allow parents to receive taxpayer money to pay for tuition at private school.
Critics argued the program pulls funding away from public schools. Rural Republicans pointed out that there aren’t enough private schools in their districts.
Senate Bill 5 would have spent $800 million on school measures through 2025. Phelan pushed back at Patrick’s criticism for backing the Senate chamber’s school safety bill instead of passing the House’s version.
Senate Bill 6 would have changed the timeline of a trial after a citizen or group files a contest to an election.
Lawmakers did pass two key pieces of border legislation. Senate Bill 3 appropriates $1.5 billion to continue the construction of a border wall.
Senate Bill 4 allows Texas police to arrest people who illegally cross the border from Mexico.
Governor Abbott has not said if he will call a fifth special session.
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