Education choice is one step closer to reality in Idaho following Wednesday's vote to advance a parental choice tax credit to the full House of Representatives.
The Idaho House Revenue and Taxation committee advanced House Bill 93 - a $5,000 parental choice tax credit - by a vote of 8-7. Last year, the same committee rejected a similar proposal by one vote.
The bill would provide a $5,000 tax credit to qualifying families for educational expenses including private school tuition. Special needs students could qualify for $7,500 tax credits.
There is a cap on what would be available of $50 million, which is equal to just .0185% of the state’s public school budget.
The bill has strong new accountability measures, including oversight by the state tax commission, and a requirement for parents to submit a satisfaction and engagement survey to evaluate the performance and effectiveness of the tax credit.
Our exclusive Idaho Poll shows strong support for a $5,000 tax credit, with the majority of Democrats, Republicans and Independents in Idaho in favor.
Furthermore, contrary to reports of constitutional restrictions, the legal cases prove education choice is possible in Idaho and beyond.
Legislators received written and in-person testimony from hundreds of concerned citizens from around the state. The hearing room was packed with those wishing to give testimony.
MSPC President Chris Cargill was asked to testify and provided these comments:
Last week, the President issued an executive order to expand educational freedom and opportunities for all families. In the order, the president calls on state officials to put politics aside and allow parents to choose the best educational setting for their children.
He may not have mentioned Idaho directly, but the message was loud and clear.
The executive order confirms what MSPC has previously researched and reported: “the growing body of rigorous research demonstrates that well-designed education-freedom programs improve student achievement and cause nearby public schools to improve their performance.”