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Texas District 30 House Representative AJ Louderback on Wednesday became one of 86 Republicans to vote yes on a bill that would create a $1 billion private school voucher program, a topic that has created an historic stir among the stateòòò½ÊÓƵ™s residents and politicians over the past couple of years.

The House approved its voucher proposal, or Senate Bill 2, by an 86-63 vote. Only two Republicans voted no on the bill, while all 61 Democrats in the House rejected the initiative.

The bill will allow families to use taxpayer dollars for their childrenòòò½ÊÓƵ™s private schooling. Lawmakers also signed off on a $7.7 billion package to boost school funding.

In late January, the Texas Senate introduced Senate Bill 2, strongly supported by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, to create an education savings accounts program, which would provide families with $10,000 a year per student in taxpayer dollars to fund the childrenòòò½ÊÓƵ™s tuition at an accredited private school and additional expenses.

The legislation would provide $11,500 per student for children with disabilities. It also would provide at least $2,000 a year per student for home-schooling families who participate in the program.

The Victoria Advocate made multiple attempts to contact Louderbackòòò½ÊÓƵ™s office Thursday but received no response.

Early Thursday morning, however, Louderback posted on Facebook: òòò½ÊÓƵœAfter a long day and many hours of debate, the House has finally passed #schoolchoice, providing another tool for parents in their childòòò½ÊÓƵ™s education. I supported several critical amendments which strengthened the safeguards in the bill, including:

òòò½ÊÓƵ¢ Annual public audits of the program and contractors

òòò½ÊÓƵ¢ Stricter residency examinations to prevent non-residents and illegal aliens from participating

òòò½ÊÓƵ¢ Iron clad protections for home and school families, freedom of conscience and religious education

òòò½ÊÓƵ¢ Permanent caps to ensure that 80% of education savings account funds prioritize lower-income/special needs children

òòò½ÊÓƵ¢ A ban on òòò½ÊÓƵœpop-up schools by requiring any private school receiving funds to be operational and accredited for two years.òòò½ÊÓƵ�

In late January, Louderback said he was fine with Gov. Abbottòòò½ÊÓƵ™s initiative of parental choice, as long as it didnòòò½ÊÓƵ™t òòò½ÊÓƵœcripple our public schools.òòò½ÊÓƵ� Some commenters on Louderbackòòò½ÊÓƵ™s Facebook page believe the passage of the bill will do exactly that and wondered why the school voucher measure wasnòòò½ÊÓƵ™t left up to the voters instead of the state legislature.

òòò½ÊÓƵœI wonòòò½ÊÓƵ™t vote for you again,òòò½ÊÓƵ� one commenter said. òòò½ÊÓƵœNever figured you for a sellout.òòò½ÊÓƵ�

Yet another said, òòò½ÊÓƵœYou will never receive my vote again. This is a sellout move and it is NOT what your constituents wanted. òòò½ÊÓƵ¦ If yaòòò½ÊÓƵ™ll were so sure this is what people wanted, you wouldnòòò½ÊÓƵ™t have been afraid to put it to a vote.òòò½ÊÓƵ�

Yet one commenter questioned the negative comments that were posted.

òòò½ÊÓƵœItòòò½ÊÓƵ™s funny to see òòò½ÊÓƵ¦ from the very people who have been failing our children in public schools,òòò½ÊÓƵ� the commenter posted. òòò½ÊÓƵœAt 62 years old, itòòò½ÊÓƵ™s disgusting to see the level of education our kids are graduating with. Canòòò½ÊÓƵ™t count change, canòòò½ÊÓƵ™t write cursive, and on and on.òòò½ÊÓƵ�

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said in a statement Wednesday about the billòòò½ÊÓƵ™s passage: òòò½ÊÓƵœThis is an extraordinary victory for the thousands of parents who have advocated for more choices when it comes to the education of their children.òòò½ÊÓƵ� Abbott also vowed that he would òòò½ÊÓƵœswiftly sign this bill into lawòòò½ÊÓƵ� when it reached his desk, reported.

The passage comes nearly two years after lawmakers repeatedly failed to push several voucher proposals through the Texas House.

òòò½ÊÓƵœThe Houseòòò½ÊÓƵ™s historic investment in school funding, reinstatement of classroom discipline and greater choice for working-class parents will work together to put Texas on the path to education excellence,òòò½ÊÓƵ� Louderback further said on Facebook.