Texas Comptroller Don Huffines wants lawmakers to double the state's private school voucher program to more than $2 billion. The expansion would add funding pressure on Clear Creek ISD, which is already facing a $23 million budget shortfall.

Huffines filed the request Thursday, Sept. 3, as part of the state's appropriations proposal for the 2028–29 two-year budget cycle, Houston Public Media reported. He asked the Legislature to raise the Education Savings Account program's base funding by $1 billion and add $226 million to cover increased costs for current participants.

The program launched this school year with a $1 billion cap. Nearly 110,000 students have received funding so far, and more than 106,000 families remain on a waitlist.

Legislative budget analysts project the program could cost roughly $4.8 billion by 2030. State data shows 70% of families who joined or have pending invitations already attended private school or were home-schooled before receiving voucher money.

What it means for CCISD

CCISD is already operating under a $23 million shortfall for fiscal year 2026–27. Trustees approved the deficit when they passed the district's $430 million-plus budget on Aug. 24, according to Houston Public Media's Aug. 31 report.

Enrollment has dropped steadily. CCISD reported 38,780 students in 2025–26, down from 42,388 in 2019–20, according to Texas Education Agency data. District spokesperson Elena Polsen attributed the decline to lower birth rates and maturing neighborhoods, noting that 81% of the district's taxpayers do not have school-aged children.

"Our funding is tied to enrollment and attendance, and when that goes down, our funding goes down," CCISD Chief Financial Officer Alice Benzaia said in the Aug. 31 Houston Public Media report. "So, that has really been the biggest driver."

To close the gap, district officials have said they are considering cutting staff through attrition, selling land, expanding online enrollment and consolidating office spaces. CCISD is also weighing a $19.1 million voter-approval tax rate election in fall 2027, Community Impact reported.

Statewide pushback

The Texas State Teachers Association criticized the comptroller's request on Sept. 3, saying taxpayers need more information on who has signed up for voucher funding before expanding the program's price tag. The association said many districts have been forced to close campuses or cut programs to address budget deficits.

More than 170 public schools across Texas have closed or are set to close since 2023, according to a report from advocacy group Our Schools Our Democracy covered by the Houston Chronicle. Statewide public school enrollment fell from 5.54 million students in 2024–25 to 5.47 million in 2025–26.

CCISD board member Arturo Sanchez said at a July 13 workshop that the state would need to raise the per-student basic allotment from $6,215 to $7,500 to keep up with costs. That increase would mean nearly $49 million in additional revenue for the district.

Texas legislators will take up the state's two-year budget when the session begins in January 2027.