State House Vote Not What Patrick Had In Mind

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Texas' leading "school choice" proponent, got the House floor vote on vouchers he's long demanded _ but not his desired result.

During last week's marathon budget debate, the Texas House voted to prohibit using taxpayer funding for private and religious schools.

That likely dooms a Senate voucher bill Patrick had been tirelessly promoting.

School choice, plus rules on issuing marriage licenses to gay couples, are among the issues to watch this week in the Texas Legislature.