Friedman Foundation response to ruling on Nevada’s education savings account (ESA) program

“Today’s ruling is a clear victory for Nevada families and students who are anxiously awaiting the chance to use ESAs to pursue the educational opportunities their children need and deserve.”

INDIANAPOLIS — The Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice released the following statement in response to a ruling this afternoon by Eighth Judicial District Court (Clark County, Nev.) Judge Eric Johnson in a case challenging Nevada’s education savings account (ESA) program, which has attracted more than 6,000 applications since its inception despite legal challenges preventing the accounts from operating.

Johnson dismissed plaintiffs’ constitutional challenges to the Nevada ESA program, formally called the Choice Scholarship Program. Johnson held that the program does not violate a constitutional prohibition on the use of public funds for sectarian purposes, nor does it violate Nevada’s uniform public school system provision.

Friedman Foundation President and CEO Robert C. Enlow responded to the ruling:

“Today’s ruling is a clear victory for Nevada families and students who are anxiously awaiting the chance to use ESAs to pursue the educational opportunities their children need and deserve. We’re hopeful that this ruling assists the high court in seeing that these accounts are legal and in high demand, with more than 6,000 students already signed up for the program.

“We’re proud of all the hard work that’s been done to make this program a reality for Nevada families, and we look forward to the day when families are able to use their ESAs. Our continued thanks go out to Nevada Attorney General Adam Laxalt, Solicitor General Lawrence VanDyke and Deputy Solicitor General Joseph Tartakovsky for their commitment to this case.”

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ABOUT THE FRIEDMAN FOUNDATION FOR EDUCATIONAL CHOICE

The Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and nonpartisan organization dedicated to advancing Milton and Rose Friedman’s vision of school choice for all children. First established in 1996, the Foundation is a trusted voice promoting school choice as the most effective and equitable way to improve the quality of K–12 education in America. The Friedman Foundation is dedicated to research, education and outreach on the vital issues and implications related to school choice.