House Passage of Universal Voucher Bill Has Critics Speaking Out
Posted March 17, 2023 5:55 pm
Photo: Caleb Oquendo via Pexels
| Columbia County Observer
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FLORIDA – Today, three organizations that oppose legislation that would create a universal voucher and education savings account program, released statements following the Florida House's passage House Bill, HB 1.
Sadaf
Knight, CEO of Florida Policy
Institute, said: “It is alarming that the
Florida House passed HB 1 without any
guardrails to mitigate the unprecedented
cost and impact this legislation would have
on our public schools."
“We are dismayed that it passed without fully accounting for the true potential cost of this expansion. Our analysis has shown that the projected $4 billion price tag for universal vouchers would hurt our schools, our communities, and, most importantly, our children.
“As the companion bill, SB 202, heads to a floor vote, we urge the Senate to carefully consider the impact on Florida’s public schools. As we have noted before, the only other state to pass a similar universal voucher bill, Arizona, has seen the cost of its program skyrocket well past initial estimates. Florida public schools cannot afford to have their budgets decimated after years of under-investment. Before passing a bill that would pay over $8,000 per child to wealthy families as a discount for pricey private school tuition, the Senate should include growth caps, income limits, and appropriate funding for the program outside of the traditional funding for public schools. The Senate should also adopt measures to ensure transparency and accountability in the program.”
Florida Policy Institute is an independent, nonpartisan and nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing state policies and budgets that improve the economic mobility and quality of life for all Floridians.
Melissa
Erickson, executive director of the
Alliance for Public Schools, said: "Florida
families want politicians to be fiscally
responsible with our tax dollars.
Overwhelmingly, families choose public
schools for their children, so lawmakers who
support educational choice must honor that
by protecting the funding of traditional
public schools. Allowing precious funding
for public schools to be put at risk ignores
the choice of most of Florida's families."
Alliance for Public Schools was founded by parents and community members who believe public education must be a shared community value and priority worthy of investment. The organization champions meaningful engagement in support of students, educators, and public schools and advocates for increased funding and policies that promote student success.
Damaris
Allen, executive director of
Families for Strong Public Schools,
said: "As a public school parent and the
executive director of Families for Strong
Public Schools, I am incredibly disappointed
in the passing of HB 1. For years we have
watched our legislators chip away at their
investment in our public schools, where the
majority of our students chose to attend,
and divert crucial taxpayer dollars to
unregulated, often unaccredited private
schools. HB 1 is a massive tax rebate for
the rich veiled as school choice and will
cost Florida $4 billion in the first year."
Families for Strong Public Schools is dedicated to centering students in education policy by unifying, educating, and empowering parents to support a strong public education agenda at all levels of government.
