FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 22, 2021
CONTACT: Emerson W. George
850-320-3803
THE JAMES MADISON INSTITUTE APPLAUDS THE INTRODUCTION OF NEW SCHOOL CHOICE INITIATIVE
TALLAHASSEE – The James Madison Institute (JMI) released a statement regarding the introduction of SB 48, which would improve Florida’s school choice scholarship programs and simplify the application process for thousands of Florida families. Read JMI’s full statement below:
Statement from William Mattox, Director of the J. Stanley Marshall Center for Educational Options at The James Madison Institute
“The James Madison Institute congratulates Sen. Manny Diaz and Sen. President Wilton Simpson for their leadership in advancing a very promising school choice initiative earlier today. If adopted, this measure would consolidate five different K-12 scholarship programs into two, simplifying the application process for thousands of Florida families with school-aged children.
Importantly, the proposal would also give parents greater flexibility in how they use their child’s scholarship monies. This flexibility will be important even after the pandemic is over, as it will make it easier for parents to offer their children an education uniquely suited for their particular needs, interests, and strengths. In addition, the proposal would eliminate a “prior public school enrollment” requirement that penalizes many middle-income parents, including some who have lost income due to the pandemic.
We are pleased to see Florida Senate leaders stepping up to improve our existing school choice scholarship programs and believe there is much to commend in this new bill. We hope and trust that Florida House leaders will follow suit in advancing legislation to give Florida families more educational options.”
Read more about SB 48 here.
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The James Madison Institute is a 501©3 organization dedicated to the ideals of limited government, economic freedom, federalism and individual liberty coupled with individual responsibility. The institute conducts research on such issues as criminal justice, health care, taxes and regulatory environments.
