Lt.Gov. Dan Patrick named school choice, property tax cuts, religion in schools and banning hemp-derived THC products among the top Senate priorities for the legislative session Wednesday. “Over the last four years,

The proposal, a priority of Gov. Greg Abbott, budgets $1 billion over the next two years to fund the private school vouchers.

A proposal to create a school voucher-like plan for Texas was advanced by the Texas Senate Education Committee on Tuesday night, giving voucher supporters like Gov. Greg Abbott their first major win of the legislative session.

Senate Bill 2, authored by Sen. Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe), would create an "Education Savings Account" (ESA) program that would allow Texas families to use public tax dollars to help pay for private education.

Legislation advances after a budget analysis estimates the cost of the voucher-style program will nearly quadruple in 4 years.

AUSTIN, Texas - The first hearing on a new school voucher plan is now set for Tuesday, Jan. 28, at the Texas Capitol. Lt. Governor Dan Patrick said he would fast track the controversial legislation and on Friday morning, in the State Senate, SB 2 was referred to the Senate Education K-16 Committee .

Both chambers are off to a fast start, with each unveiling its plan to guide state spending for the two-year budget cycle that starts Sept. 1.

A bipartisan group of rural Republicans and Democrats killed the idea in the legislature two years ago. This year, Governor Abbott believes he has the votes.