JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri lawmakers on Thursday passed a bill to expand private school scholarships statewide, an effort made possible by extensive compromises including a commitment to spend hundreds of millions of dollars more on public schools.
The GOP-led House voted with a bare-minimum margin of 82-69 to send the measure to Republican Gov. Mike Parson. If signed, it would offer up to $6,375 per child for expenses including tuition, textbooks, tutoring, transportation, extracurriculars and summer school.
The bill’s passage is a victory for advocates who have struggled for years to expand access to charter schools, virtual schools and private schools in Missouri. Worries about taking away resources from traditional kindergarten-12th grade public schools have been bipartisan.
The heart of the legislation is the expansion of Missouri Empowerment Scholarships Accounts, which low-income families can draw from. The money will come from private donors, who in return get tax credits.
The Latest: Iran launches large
Foreign Ministry urges US to conduct swift probe into San Francisco consulate car crash
Xi Meets Antigua and Barbuda's Prime Minister
Group condemns 'humiliating searches' by security at Barcelona stadium
Hybrid rice aids global food security
Xi Congratulates Felix Tshisekedi on Reelection as DR Congo's President
Palestinian death toll in Gaza rises to 33,729: ministry
Montreal scores twice in final minutes and rallies to beat Minnesota 4
International gold price expected to continue rising: analysts
Hanna and Haley Cavinder say they're returning for last season at Miami
Will Biden address the Agent Orange legacy during his visit to Asia?