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LEGISLATION AND LITIGATION Alabama The Alabama Senate passed SB 123, a bill sponsored by Senate President Pro Tempore Del Marsh that would expand the tax credits available through the state’s Education Scholarship Program. The bill is currently before the House Ways and Means Education Committee. Arizona SB 1431, a bill that would expand the state’s Empowerment Scholarship Accounts to near-universal eligibility, […]
LEGISLATION AND LITIGATION Arizona SB 1431, a bill that would expand the state’s Empowerment Scholarship Accounts to near-universal eligibility, was introduced to the Arizona legislature last month. The bill was referred to both the Senate Education Committee and the Rules Committee. Arkansas HB 1222, a bill that would create a tax credit-funded education savings account program, […]
Arizona – Michael Chartier @mchart1 In a 17–13 vote, the Arizona Senate passed SB 1279, a bill that would expand the state’s education savings account (ESA) eligibility. The bill then made its way to the House where it has been referred to both the Education and Rules committees. Kansas – Michael Chartier @mchart1 The Kansas […]
National The Friedman Foundation joined with students, parents, educators, and advocates across the United States in celebrating National School Choice Week. As part of the week’s events, we released the 2016 edition of The ABCs of School Choice. Arizona – Michael Chartier @mchart1 Two companion bills, HB 2482 and SB 1279, were introduced. The […]
Alabama – Stephanie Linn @StephanieJLinn Thirty public school superintendents signed on to the lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the school choice program provided under the Alabama Accountability Act. The law is presently in effect while being appealed in the judicial system. The Friedman Foundation filed an amicus curiae in defense of the school choice program. Colorado […]
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled it constitutional in 2002. Still, that precedent hasn’t stopped groups from challenging, in state courts, parents who use vouchers to choose private religious settings for their children. Indeed, Oklahoma’s Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarships for Children with Disabilities may not be available to children choosing religious schools for their education, according […]
Alabama – Stephanie Linn @StephanieJLinn A trial court ruled that the school choice programs contained within the Alabama Accountability Act may continue while the state Supreme Court reviews a ruling striking down the Act. The office of the Attorney General and attorneys from the Institute for Justice filed a motion requesting a stay after Judge Gene […]
Alabama – Stephanie Linn @StephanieJLinn The Montgomery County Circuit Court struck down the Alabama Accountability Act as unconstitutional. The Accountability Act contains two private school choice programs: a tax-credit scholarship program and a refundable tax credit program. Judge Gene Reese ruled the Act violates the Alabama Constitution’s single-subject rule, which requires legislation to focus on […]
Alabama – Stephanie Linn @StephanieJLinn U.S. District Judge Keith Watkins dismissed a lawsuit that challenged the Alabama Accountability Act on grounds that the school choice program contained within the Act violated equal protection. The Southern Poverty Law Center had filed a lawsuit contending that its clients, students in “failing” public schools, were unable to take […]
Alabama – Stephanie Linn @StephanieJLinn Alabama lawmakers filed a bill (HB 558) that would amend the Alabama Accountability Act to define individual donors as shareholders or partners of S corporations or Subchapter K entities. The bill would also eliminate the $7,500 cap on individual contributions. The Alabama Accountability Act currently requires scholarship granting organizations to wait […]