AUSTIN – Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick issued this statement today following the passage of Senate Bill 28, the Charter School Equity Act, by Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston:

“I commend Sen. Bettencourt and the Texas Senate for their leadership on this critical issue. Charter schools have become a vital education option for Texas parents and students and Senate Bill 28 will ensure that they can continue to advance and prosper without being hampered by unreasonable restrictions that other public schools do not face. Texans overwhelmingly support charter schools and Senate Bill 28 will make sure that parents can continue to choose a charter school if it best fits their child’s needs.”

Senate Bill 28 is authored by Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury, Dawn Buckingham, R-Lakeway, Donna Campbell, R-New Braunfels, Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, Bob Hall, R-Edgewood, Bryan Hughes, R-Mineola, Eddie Lucio, Jr., D-Brownsville, Angela Paxton, R-McKinney, Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, Drew Springer, R-Muenster, and Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood.