Abbott Talks Tax Incentives, Patrick Doubles Down On School Choice

This week in Texas politics with the politics reporter of the Texas Tribune.

By Rhonda FanningJanuary 8, 2016 3:32 pm

It’s the end of the first week of the new year – a good time to check in on the state of Texas politics with Ayan Mittra from the Texas Tribune.

Gov. Greg Abbott started the year talking tax incentives while Lt Gov. Dan Patrick by pushing school choice.

Mittra says Abbott campaigned in the race for governor that he didn’t want to “pick winners or losers.” Abbott has downsized some incentives that started during Rick Perry’s tenure, like the Formula 1 race, Mittra says.

“It looks like that program, at least the major events trust fund, is going to stay in effect on some level for now,” Mittra says.

Patrick, who is a former chairman of the education committee, has said that will be a top priority for him during the next legislative session.

“He’s talking about emulating programs that have moved forward in Nevada,” Mittra says, “where they’re using some state money to go directly to parents of students who want to maybe pay for private school tuition.”

Public school teachers have spoken out against Patrick’s plans. “They say, ‘You’re setting us up to fail,'” Mittra says.

Listen to the full interview in the audio player above.