AUSTIN, Texas – Two Texas lawmakers this week announced plans to reform education by expanding school choice and improving the state’s school accountability system, but they are already taking flack from the state’s teachers union and its allies.

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and state Senate Education Committee chairman Dan Patrick announced their education agenda for the coming session of the state Senate at a press conference in Austin.

“This session, in addition to protecting our children, the Senate is going to work on comprehensive education reform,” Dewhurst said, according to LubbockOnline.com. “We want to make sure the schools stay strong and viable.”

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The state Senate leaders said they plan to develop a new A through F grading system for schools and a tax credit style voucher program for low-income students. They also want to increase the number of charter schools and develop other school choice options, the news site reports.

“Choice makes our schools stronger,” Patrick said. “The ultimate goal is to reform public education.”

Patrick stressed the potential a private school voucher program would have for poverty stricken students stuck in poorly performing schools, and how those students deserve the same opportunities as students from wealthier families or those who attend better public schools.

Vouchers would represent “life-changing money for those families,” Patrick said.

While the details of the reform plans are still being worked out, the Texas American Federation of Teachers – an affiliate of the powerful American Federation of Teachers union – is already worried the plan might cut into its bottom line.

Texas AFT President Linda Bridges made it clear in a statement that she doesn’t care how the voucher program might work, or how many kids it might help. She already hates the idea because it would mean public school students would be able to escape government schools for something better. That, of course, could mean less funding for public schools, which is the sole source for teacher salaries and union dues.

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“Even though many specifics are lacking, every dollar credited to a taxpayer for contributions to private school scholarship programs is a dollar diverted from the stream of tax revenue that our public schools depend on …” Bridges said, according to LubbockOnline.com. “This is a state-funded subsidy for private school at the expense of public schools – a voucher by another name.”

In other words, Bridges is all about the money.

Some lawmakers already seem to be lining up behind the Texas AFT. State House Speaker Joe Straus said he wants “to avoid a scene on the (House) floor over a voucher bill that is not broadly supported.”

Perhaps Straus and Bridges should reflect on recent surveys in Louisiana, Indiana, Wisconsin and other states with similar programs that show parents and taxpayers overwhelming supporting school choice options.

Texas lawmakers would be wise to listen closely to the families of children who are trapped in failing government schools, consider how their plight impacts the dynamics of the state’s economy and workforce, and make the tough decision based on what’s in the best interests of students – not special interest groups like the Texas AFT.

Any failure to seriously address education reform will only put Texas and its students farther behind other states that are already blazing trails down the road to reform.