Despite Abbott's threats, rural Texas Republicans still skeptical of school vouchers

AUSTIN — Even though Republican Gov. Greg Abbott spent heavily to primary members of his own party who voted against school voucher legislation last session, rural Republicans on the House Committee on Public Education are still skeptical about how the plan benefits students outside urban areas. Rural GOP lawmakers raised those concerns during the committee's lengthy hearing Monday in Austin. After Michael Chartier, policy director for pro-voucher group ExcelinEd, testified that private schools would pop up in sparsely populated areas if the Texas Legislature approves a voucher plan, committee member Texas Rep. Ken King of Canadian pushed back at the claim.