AUSTIN, Texas — Gov. Greg Abbott reaffirmed his commitment to school choice, property tax reform and border security during his keynote address Friday at the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s annual Texas Policy Summit in Austin.
Speaking before an audience of more than 500 lawmakers, policy experts and stakeholders, Abbott criticized opponents of school choice for spreading what he called “false narratives” about its potential impact on public education.
The governor emphasized that under his proposed plan, public schools would remain fully funded and that every Texas family—regardless of region, income level, or background—would have access to school choice programs.
“Per-student funding is at an all-time high, exceeding $15,000,” Abbott said, noting that families who homeschool would retain full control over their children’s curriculum under the proposed framework.
Abbott also addressed what he described as political resistance to reform, delivering a pointed message to critics of school choice.
“The reality is that those who are entrenched in the status quo do not believe in school choice because it disrupts the monopoly that they have on education,” said Governor Abbott. “Those anti-school choice, they’re going to fight to the very end to discourage members to vote in favor of school choice. But you can tell that we are winning. You can tell that the fight is over because there is a process that shows you the end is near. That is when your opponents have nothing else to resort to other than lying about the facts. Our goal must be to take the actions needed to put Texas on a pathway to having the best education for the kids of our state. Texas must rank No. 1 in educating our kids, and school choice is the path to achieving that goal.”
Abbott declared school choice an emergency item for the current legislative session during his State of the State address earlier this month, signaling its importance among his policy priorities.
Beyond education, the governor reiterated his focus on property tax reform, calling for the closure of what he described as loopholes that allow local governments to raise property taxes without direct voter consent.
“Texans deserve real control over their property taxes,” Abbott said, proposing a requirement for two-thirds voter approval on all local tax increases.
The governor also addressed border security, highlighting Texas’ “unprecedented” measures and pledging continued collaboration with the Trump administration to fortify the state’s southern border.
“We’re not just securing the border for today—we’re laying the groundwork to protect Texas for the next 40 years,” he said.
For more information on the summit or policy initiatives, visit texaspolicy.com.