Empowering Parents and Students with More Choices

For every dollar invested in the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program, the state saves $1.49 in education funding – nearly $39 million annually.

Goal

Providing scholarships to students in low-income families and students with disabilities provides financial freedom to parents to choose the best education for their child.

Solutions

Expand access to Florida Tax Credit Scholarships.

Tie the amount of the student’s scholarship to a percent of the state’s per-pupil funding.
Provide a mechanism to increase the state cap on the program.
Expand tax incentives to other sources of revenue.
Raise the income level for families already participating in the program.

Expand learning options for disabled and developmentally-challenged students.

Allow any student with a disability who previously attended public school to be eligible for a McKay Scholarship.
Allow the parents to use the Voluntary Pre-kindergarten voucher for necessary therapy and allows these students to be eligible for a McKay Scholarship.

Bill Status

Legislation is currently making its way through the Florida Legislature. The status of the House and Senate bills is noted below:

HB 1009, Sponsored by Representative Will Weatherford (Tax Credit Scholarship Program Expansion)
- Passed House Finance and Tax Council, 12-2.
SB 2126, Sponsored by Senator Joe Negron (Tax Credit Scholarship Program Expansion)
- Passed Senate Finance and Tax Council, 4-1
- Passed Senate Ways & Means Committee, 15-7
- Passed Full Senate, 28-10
Signed into law by Governor Charlie Crist (SB 2126)
HB 1505, Sponsored by Representative Flores (McKay Scholarship Expansion)
- Passed House PreK-12 Policy Committee, 12-0
- Passed House PreK-12 Appropriations Committee, 8-0
SB 2746, Sponsored by Senator Gardiner (McKay Scholarship Expansion)
Signed into law by Governor Charlie Crist (HB 1505)