Gov. Greg Abbott said he's optimistic his plan to spend tax dollars to send some students to private school will make it through the Texas Legislature this year. On Wednesday, the Senate is widely expected to pass its version of a school choice bill,

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott says universal school choice must be approved. He backs new public school funding for teacher pay raises.

Texans also heard from their fellow citizens as part of the Democratic Party’s response to Abbott’s speech, with state Democrats enlisting a public school educator, an OB/GYN, electricians’ union representative and the state’s Democratic chair to represent what the party hoped to project as the voice of everyday Texans.