If the author and all co-authors vote for House Bill 3, it would pass the lower chamber. The controversial program, also called school choice, would use public money to pay for children’s private school tuition.

The approach echoes President Donald Trump's rhetoric and underscores the stakes for Abbott after months of pressuring lawmakers to pass the priority measure.

Texas Republicans’ demand for a school voucher-style program appears poised to clear a major hurdle as a slim majority of House members have signaled their support. Gov. Greg Abbott celebrated Wednesday that 75 Republican representatives signed on as co-authors to House Bill 3,

The General Assembly’s two chambers have each passed their own version of an educational scholarship account bill that would allow families to use state money for private schools. The different proposals means lawmakers appear to be headed to a conference committee to work out the differences.

The 75 co-sponsors plus the bill’s author would provide enough votes to pass Gov. Abbott’s top priority measure in the 150-seat House.

The Texas House has filed its school voucher bill. The legislation differs in several ways from what the Senate has already passed. The two chambers would have to hash out their differences before sending any legislation to Gov.