Hinojosa Seeks to End Texas School Voucher Program

Governor-elect Gina Hinojosa plans to terminate a state program that funds private school tuition with taxpayer dollars beginning January 2027.

Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Special Education

Hinojosa Seeks to End Texas School Voucher Program

Live Poll

Should Texas end its school voucher program and redirect the money to public schools?

Governor-elect Gina Hinojosa, who opposes using taxpayer dollars for private school tuition, seeks to terminate Texas' school voucher program when she takes office. Repeal would require approval from both chambers of the Texas Legislature.

Why it matters

The voucher program, established through legislation Governor Greg Abbott signed in 2025, has distributed roughly $1.2 billion in public funds for 2026-2027, and the outcome will determine how that money is directed for families across Texas. The debate reflects a broader political split over whether public education dollars should follow students into private schools.

Voucher payments for the 2026-27 school year are $10,474 per private school student, with up to $30,000 for students with disabilities and $2,000 for homeschool students. Texas distributed approximately $1.2 billion for the program, while Abbott and Republican legislators seek up to $2 billion for 2027-2028, and the source does not detail how repeal would affect those amounts.

The players

Gina Hinojosa

Governor-elect of Texas who opposes using taxpayer dollars for private school tuition and campaigned on strengthening public schools.

Greg Abbott

Texas governor who signed the 2025 legislation creating the voucher program and is seeking up to $2 billion for it in 2027-2028.

Eagle Pass Independent School District

Public school district in Eagle Pass, Texas, where the Texas Comptroller identified 96 funded voucher participants living within its boundaries.

The details

Hinojosa has said she opposes taxpayer funding of private school tuition and campaigned on strengthening public schools. Eagle Pass Independent School District faces potential enrollment and funding changes, as a Texas Comptroller report released August 1 identified 96 funded voucher participants living within district boundaries.

2025: Abbott signs voucher program legislation.
August 1: Texas Comptroller report identifies 96 voucher participants in Eagle Pass ISD.
January 1, 2027: Hinojosa takes office and seeks to end the program.
2027-2028: Abbott and Republicans seek up to $2 billion for vouchers.

Season Trajectory

The push to end Texas' voucher program would reverse the direction set by the 2025 legislation Governor Greg Abbott signed, which created the program funding private school tuition for students statewide. Whether Texas follows that reversal or expands the program will be shaped by the 2027 legislative session and the new governor's budget priorities.

Families with students in private schools or homeschool settings should track the 2027 legislative session, since funding levels could change depending on whether the program is repealed or limited. Parents of students with disabilities should note that the program currently allows up to $30,000 per eligible student, and any change could affect their school choices.

The takeaway

Families weighing private school options should monitor the 2027 Texas legislative session, when funding for the voucher program will be debated. Current award amounts of $10,474 for private school students and up to $30,000 for students with disabilities may change depending on the outcome.

What happens next

Lawmakers are preparing to consider education funding during the 2027 legislative session, when Hinojosa's proposal to end the voucher program would be debated.