Texas lawmakers are one step closer to approving a 1 billion private school voucher program hours after passing a bill to allocate 7 7 billion in funding for public schools

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.

The Texas House voted 86-63 early Thursday to give initial approval to a bill creating a $1 billion private school voucher program. Why it matters: The long-contested legislation passed a major hurdle this session,