AUSTIN, Texas (KWTX) - Texas lawmakers approved a controversial bill in Austin early Thursday morning. The school choice bill was passed in an 85-62 vote – two were absent. The measure will provide taxpayer-funded education savings accounts, allowing students in public schools to attend private schools if accepted into the state’s program.

The Texas House of Representatives passed a $1 billion school voucher program, a key victory in Governor Greg Abbott’s long quest to establish school choice.