The $1 billion proposal, which proponents call school choice, would give students roughly $10,500 in taxpayer money for private school tuition.

Texas Senators, guided by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, voted to approve the Texas House-changed school voucher bill, teeing it up for what will likely be Gov. Greg Abbott's immediate signing of his number one legislative priority.

The bill would let families use taxpayer dollars for their children’s private schooling. Lawmakers also signed off on a sweeping $7.7 billion package to boost public school funding.