Florida House passes universal private school voucher program

The Florida House of Representatives approved a bill Friday that will expand taxpayer-funded school bonds for private school tuition to all students in the state, not just those from low-income families.

The measure, which was approved by 83 votes in favor and 27 against, proposes creating "educational savings accounts" that would make it possible to use school vouchers not only for tuition in private centers, but also for costs related to tutoring and tuition fees for various exams.

According to what was disclosed this Friday by various local media, the bonds would be for $8,000 and would come from the treasury.

Low-income families will get priority, but under the bill, any family whose children reside in Florida and are between the ages of kindergarten and grade 12 can apply.

Home-schooled students are now eligible for the vouchers, and the bill would also require the state education commissioner to create an online portal to help parents navigate the "range of home school choice options in Florida".

The initiative has drawn criticism from several Democrats and the Florida Education Association teachers union.

Critics of the bill say the measure represents "an $8,000 taxpayer-funded voucher for millionaires and billionaires," but its supporters have argued that competition improves all education systems, including public and private schools.

Florida will become the fourth state to offer private school scholarships to all students. The bill has been sponsored by state Florida Rep. Kaylee Tuck of Lake Placid, who says the state's education system "is rigid" and kids aren't.

Currently, only families of four who earn up to $111,000 or 400% of the federal poverty level are eligible for the state bond, according to Florida Politics.

However, the proposed bill would allow other students currently attending private schools without vouchers or who are home-schooling to qualify for this benefit. It would also eliminate a waiting list for students with disabilities who need scholarships.

The cost of the expansion has been a key sticking point, with the House and Senate presenting vastly different projections. The Senate estimates the expansion will cost $646.5 million, while the House projects $210 million in new costs.

The Florida Policy Institute, a nonprofit group, has estimated that the bill would cost around $4 billion.