Texas Republican lawmakers in regions known for support of public schools defended voting for vouchers, saying they gained leverage to seek concessions.

The lieutenant governor proposes that the Texas Senate adopt the House bill, which would eliminate a negotiation over the two versions and cement the victory for supporters.

The House approved historic legislation that would implement school vouchers in Texas. Here’s how each representative voted.

The bill would let families use taxpayer dollars for their children’s private schooling. Lawmakers also signed off on a sweeping $7.7 billion package to boost public school funding.

The Texas House also approved more money for schools in a bipartisan vote.

The House Public Education Committee voted to advance a pair of priority bills to create education savings accounts and to raise how much state money public school districts receive.

Supporters say diversity initiatives close educational and income gaps born from a history of prejudice. Republican officials say they prioritize identity over merit.

The hearing on House Bill 3 started Tuesday and ended Wednesday morning. Hundreds of Texans waited overnight to testify.

Neither of the Legislature’s voucher bills require private schools to accept certain students, which some warn could block the neediest children from access.

The 75 co-sponsors plus the bill’s author would provide enough votes to pass Gov. Abbott’s top priority measure in the 150-seat House.

The Lufkin school district says it must do a better job of promoting itself amid growing competition from charter schools and homeschooling.

Supporters of voucher-like education savings accounts are trying to press their advantage early and build a sense of inevitability.

Senate Bill 2 now heads to the House, where top officials say they have the support to create education savings accounts.

The governor’s list of priority items includes issues important to social conservatives and to business advocates.

The governor’s speech sets a broad agenda for the Legislature, including a nuclear renaissance and a Texas Cyber Command.

Texas has had public school choice for decades, and the number of options is exploding. But some lawmakers are still trying to create private school choice options, while others are pushing against it.