$1 billion for vouchers, $5 billion for teachers?

Legislative budget writers are proposing nearly $5 billion to increase teacher pay and $1 billion to implement a school voucher program in the next biennium, the Austin American-Statesman reported.

The voucher program, also referred to as school choice, would provide public money for private schooling, a key priority for Gov. Greg Abbott that bitterly divided Republican lawmakers two years ago and failed to pass.

In addition, the funding would increase teachers’ pay by $4,000 and give teachers in rural school districts an additional $6,000, according to a statement by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. The early release of budget drafts is a signal that both chambers are getting off to a fast start in laying out their spending priorities.