SHARE
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. The Florida Senate passed legislation Monday to dramatically expand the state s school voucher programs, even as Democrats cast the measure as a taxpayer-funded giveaway to unaccountable private schools.
What You Need To Know
The Florida Senate passed an expansion of the state s school voucher programs Monday
Opponents of the Republican-crafted bill argue that the main benefactor, private schools, are not held to the same standards as public schools
Proponents of the bill say parents can hold schools accountable by choosing not to send their children there
Gov. Ron DeSantis is expected to sign the bill into law
A proposal that would let people with concealed weapons licenses pack heat at churches or other religious institutions that share properties with schools is heading to Gov. Ron DeSantis.
The proposal also would increase the maximum income eligibility to receive vouchers to 375% of the federal poverty level, meaning a family of four making almost $100,000 a year would qualify.
Senate sponsor Manny Diaz Jr., R-Hialeah, suggested during floor debate Monday that school closures and other effects of the COVID-19 pandemic increased an appetite for educational options in the state.
“The question we have here is a philosophical choice: Do we trust our families to make the right decisions for their student?” Diaz said. “COVID has exposed this even further, because parents have seen the education of their children go on, sometimes, on their dining room table.”
One of Gov. Ron DeSantis' top priorities, control of social media by restricting tech companies from banning users, has been passed by the Florida Senate. The measure heads to the House.