AUSTIN – The Texas Senate is expected to approve a “school choice” bill Wednesday that would let families use taxpayer dollars for private school education – the first major step for Gov. Greg Abbott’s top legislative priority.

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.

Legislation to create school vouchers in Texas would send taxpayer money to private schools that teach anti-science ideas.

The Senate could vote on the proposal as soon as next week. Democrats on Tuesday criticized the bill saying it fails to prioritize the state’s neediest children.