The South Carolina Senate recently passed a bill, the Education Scholarship Trust Fund Act, which would allow students to receive vouchers for private school tuition. The bill was approved by a vote of 31-9 in its third reading. This legislation would use state lottery funds to cover eligible expenses, including private school tuition, for students.
The bill was amended to address concerns raised by the South Carolina Supreme Court last September, which found that a similar bill violated the state constitution by using public funds for the direct benefit of private educational institutions. The amended bill now proposes that voucher funds come from the South Carolina Education Lottery account, rather than the state’s general fund.
Despite the Senate’s approval, the South Carolina Education Association (SCEA) has voiced opposition to the bill. The SCEA believes that diverting public funds towards private schools will further deplete resources for public schools, which educate over 95% of South Carolina’s children. The SCEA views this move as a partisan agenda that undermines the public school system.
The bill will now move to the House of Representatives for further debate and a vote. The outcome of this legislation will impact the use of state lottery funds for private school tuition and may have broader implications for the education system in South Carolina.
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