Republican Gov. Brian Kemp backed a measure to expand funding for private school credit after the bill passed the Senate.
Kemp approved Senate Bill 233 on Monday. It was the first time he publicly supported lawmakers’ efforts to expand school choice in the Peach State. The bill would provide a $6,500 annual credit towards undergraduate education.
In an interview with Atlanta radio host Erick Erickson Monday, the governor said the bill was a “good law” and urged House lawmakers to pass the bill before the end of the legislative session on Wednesday.
“I’m confident we can get that across the finish line,” said Kemp. “I think they did a really good job on the legislation. They have also listened to many critics and adopted some of their suggestions on accountability and other things.”
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Republican Gov. Brian Kemp backed a measure to expand funding for private school vouchers. (Dustin Chambers/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
“It just needs to get the votes in the House of Representatives and I have a feeling they will be able to do that,” he continued.
The governor also attended Tuesday’s closed-door GOP caucus meeting at Georgia House to give what one attendee said his “full support” for the funding-expansion legislation, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution of vouchers for private schools.
The governor had largely taken a behind-the-scenes approach with the state legislature since his re-election, choosing to remain silent on his stance on legislation. But Monday’s approval of Senate Bill 233, just before the end of the legislative session, could signal that he wants to be more aggressive in pushing the measure forward.
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Kemp on Monday approved Senate Bill 233, marking the first time he publicly supported legislative efforts to expand school choice in the Peach State. (Megan Varner/Getty Images)
A group of lawmakers composed mostly of Republicans sponsored a measure this year to give each student a $6,500 voucher to spend on private or home schooling, boosting families’ educational options over public ones expand beyond schools.
The state would deduct public school funding for every student who takes their tuition elsewhere.
Opponents of the bill say the vouchers would hurt local public school systems that need additional funding, particularly in poorer communities.
Last year, a similar proposal for a $6,000 voucher failed at a private school.
Senate Bill 233 would provide a $6,500 annual credit for undergraduate education. (Photographer: Elijah Nouvelage/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
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But this year’s measure has gained momentum, having passed the Senate earlier this month by a 33-23 vote and is now in the hands of House lawmakers. Both chambers have Republican majorities.
The proposal stalled in the House of Representatives last week but could still be voted on before the end of the legislative session on Wednesday.
“We will continue to remain vigilant and be strong advocates for educational choice,” Kemp said.
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