Texas House members debated into the night the bill that would spend $1 billion of taxpayer money for education savings accounts, allowing students to attend private school. Democratic State Rep. James Talarico of Austin proposed an amendment to require Texas voters to approve this legislation before it could become law.

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.

After hours of debate — and years of pushing from Gov. Greg Abbott — the Texas House approved a bill to create an Education Savings Account plan. The school voucher program would allow parents to use public funds toward private school costs.