By Jack O’Toole | S.C. House Republicans gave key approval Wednesday to a bill expanding a program allowing parents to spend taxpayer money on private and home-school education – even though a pilot program has yet to begin and the state Supreme Court is still weighing whether it is constitutional.
The measure passed 69-32 Wednesday with all but two Republicans voting in favor of the bill and every Democrat voting in opposition. The bill moved to the state Senate Thursday after a routine final House vote. The proposal is expected to face tougher hurdles.
In 2023, the General Assembly passed what it called the education scholarship trust fund program with a cap of $6,000 for up to 5,000 students, according to an Associated Press report. The money can go toward tuition, transportation, supplies or technology at private schools or public schools outside a student’s district. Within three years, the current program would cap eligibility to 15,000 students in families with income of $120,000 or less per year. Last year’s measure, which created a pilot program that could cost $90 million a year, is being challenged as unconstitutional and awaits a ruling from the S.C. Supreme Court.
But this year, the separate House-passed proposal would open the program to all students and set the amount given to parents to rise along with spending per public school student. The potential cost? More than $1 billion. This year’s House bill also would expand the aid to home-schools. It also would eliminate state audits for private schools getting the money and would not require them to give their students the same standardized tests as public school students.
House Democrats suggested several changes to the bill, such as keeping the amount the state Education Department can collect to pay a private firm to run the program at 2% instead of an increase to 5% or requiring private schools to certify they didn’t raise prices for voucher students. All of their amendments were rejected.
In other recent headlines:
McMaster marks new gun law with ceremonial signing. South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster held a ceremony Tuesday to spotlight the new “constitutional carry” law that allows any adult who can legally own a gun to carry the weapon openly without a permit.
Bill removing DEI from S.C. college hirings advances. Legislation that directs public colleges in South Carolina to remove diversity, equity and inclusion from their hiring and admissions decisions advanced Tuesday to the House floor over Democrats’ objections.
S.C. judicial reform leaves chief criticism of fairness unsettled. The new judicial reform effort passed last week by the Senate does not address the concern of lawyer-legislators wielding undue influence over judicial candidates, according to media reports.
S.C. victims’ rights advocates look for criminal justice reform. The Third Annual Victims Matter rally at the S.C. Statehouse Thursday called for an effort to urge state lawmakers to enhance protections for victims of violent crimes.
Despite wins, S.C.’s anti-abortion movement wants more. This story highlights how the state’s anti-abortion movement is frustrated and wants more.
2024: Sabb announces bid for reelection. S.C. Sen. Ronnie Sabb has announced he will run for reelection to the District 32 seat, which serves Berkeley, Florence, Georgetown, Williamsburg, Charleston, and Horry Counties.
S.C. political consultant Richard Quinn dies at 79. Former GOP powerbroker Richard Quinn Sr., who’s advice helped catapult many careers in the state’s Republican majority, passed away at 79-years-old. A cause of death was not disclosed.
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