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

AUSTIN − As tensions rise over a GOP-led effort to create a private school voucher-like program in Texas, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott addressed critics of his chief policy goal Wednesday in front of a gathering of grassroots conservatives in Austin.

A majority of Texas House members have signed on as co-authors of a school voucher bill — a move that hints the Legislature could pass such a proposal

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott says he has the votes in the state Legislature to pass a school voucher bill. The Senate passed its version of the bill earlier this month.