Florida Republicans Prepare to Pass School Voucher Expansion That Could Direct up to $4 Billion in Taxpayer Dollars to Private Schools 

The bill is strongly opposed by Democrats and teachers’ unions, as they believe it would drain away money from the public schools that educate nearly 90% of the state’s students. 

Florida’s school voucher expansion bill is getting closer to becoming law after the House passed it last Friday.

The House voted 83-27 along party lines. The HB1 proposal represents a comprehensive expansion of eligibility for vouchers, allowing anyone who is “a resident of this state and is eligible to enroll in kindergarten through grade 12 in a public school” to receive the aid, regardless of income status.

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Currently, a family of four can make up to $111,000, or 400% of the federal poverty level, to be eligible for the state’s voucher.

The bill is strongly opposed by Democrats and teachers’ unions, as they believe it would drain away money from the public schools that educate nearly 90% of the state’s students. 

The bill would make all students eligible for the private school tuition voucher—regardless of income—and would also offer assistance to homeschoolers.

The Senate showed the expansion will cost $646.5 million, but the Florida Policy Institute projected it will cost taxpayers $4 billion and could also affect the state’s plan to raise teachers’ salaries, which are among the lowest in the nation.

“HB 1 will make a bad situation worse, as our public schools have long been underfunded and understaffed. Florida already ranks 44th in the nation for spending per student in our neighborhood public schools. The state has a critical and increasing shortage of teachers and staff, including bus drivers, paraprofessionals, nurses, and mental health counselors,” FEA said in a press release.

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Another opponent to the bill is Rep. Johanna López (D-D43), who is a former teacher and former Orange county school board member.

“HB 1 is dangerous and makes education inaccessible for the very students’ school choice was created to help. As someone who worked in the public school system for over 24 years, I can personally attest to the fact that our public schools need help and HB 01 does the opposite,” López wrote on Twitter.