The Georgia House of Representatives passed the Georgia Promise Scholarship Act on Thursday.
This act will give parents school vouchers of up to $6,500 per student. The vouchers would help students in low-performing districts receive funds to expand school choice options or purchase curricula for homeschooling.
SB 233 was passed in the House (91-82) and includes legislation to “provide for the establishment of promise scholarship accounts” and the “creation of the Georgia Education Savings Authority” to oversee them.
In a recent Education and Youth Committee hearing on SB 233, Georgia House Speaker Pro Tempore Jan Jones (R-Milton) described SB 233 as “one more iteration of offering our students in Georgia choices” and other available scholarships and tax credits.
Georgia Speaker of the House Jon Burns (R-Newington) remarked in a Facebook post about how the proposed legislation would put more power in the hands of parents.
“[Thursday] was a historic day for education in our state, with SB 233 the Georgia Promise Scholarship Act passing the House,” he said.
Burns added, “We are going to empower our parents to make the best educational decisions for their children and give them the tools to succeed for generations to come!”
Also in attendance at the Education and Youth Committee hearing, Burns explained that SB 233 would help make parents the decision-makers when it comes to educating their child, stating that the bill would support parents in “taking care of the responsibility of bringing their children up and educating them so they can have a good life.”
During the hearing, Burns also said that because of much dialogue and effort in improving the original legislation, he has become “thoroughly convinced” that the Georgia Promise Scholarship Act “can make a difference” and “benefit school-aged children in Georgia.”
In reaction to the House passage of SB 233, Georgia House Democrats stated that the bill attempts to drain funds from public education.
“This year’s school voucher bill is just like putting lipstick on a pig. It’s the same old scam by Republican politicians attempting to defund our public schools,” Georgia House Democrats said on X.
This year's school voucher bill is just like putting lipstick on a pig. It's the same old scam by Republican politicians attempting to defund our public schools.
WATCH Rep. Miriam Paris (@RepMParis) speak in opposition to SB 233. #gapol pic.twitter.com/2QUzB5V8yo
— Georgia House Democrats (@GAHouseDems) March 14, 2024
However, in an X post, Georgia Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones voiced his support for the proposed legislation.
“I want to thank the House for passing SB 233 today. SB 233 gives Georgia’s parents greater control over the ability to seek out the best education for the needs of their children. I look forward to taking up this legislation in the Senate,” he said.
While SB 233 awaits scheduling by the Rules Committee to move to the Senate floor for consideration, Burns said of SB 233, “I would like for our House to send a clear signal. We will not let our children continue to be trapped in a failing school.”
He added, “We are taking a stand to give the parents of Georgia better options and we are unlocking doors to the future for the children across this state.”
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Debra McClure is a reporter at The Georgia Star News and The Star News Network. Follow Debra on X / Twitter.
