A program that allows corporations to get a tax credit for contributing money for scholarship programs could soon get a boost in funding.
Sen. Joe Negron, R-Stuart, and other Republican senators introduced a bill that would change the laws governing the Florida Tax Credit Program. SB 2126 would increase the amount of money low-income students would receive from the program by increasing the amount of money corporations can write off for a tax credit. With that scholarship money, those students and their parents could choose which private school the student would attend.
The bill passed the Committee on Finance and Tax Wednesday morning with a 4-1 vote. Sen. Charlie Justice, D-St. Petersburg, cast the lone dissenting vote.
But, while there was ample supportamong senators, there was strong opposition from the Florida Education Association, the state's teachers union.
Lynda Russell, a lobbyist for FEA, argued the bill would take money away from public schools and divert it from the general revenue fund.
But Negronclaims schools will actually see a financial benefit,because money spent on the program per student is less than money spent per student in K-12.
Russell also said that the real benefit to students hasn't been backed up by hard data.
Sen. Ronda Storms, R-Brandon, challenged the union by asking if Russell had seen a Harvard studyshowing thatminority students perform better in private schoolsthan inpublic schools.
"I would just comment that to you, for your benefit," said Storms, "and for your intellectual expansion."
The debate between the senators and FEA grew soheated that Sen.Thad Altman, R-Viera, took a moment to point out this wasn't an attack on the FEA, or Russell.
"We're not taking shots at anybody," said Altman, "What this is is a lively debate with lively questions."
Other senators chimed in, noting the benefits of having smaller class sizes -- one of the FEA's priorities. Altman said, because of the bill, a lot of parents will pull their kids out of traditional public schools, which would have a positive impact on class size.
Negronexplained thatthe importance ofSB 2126boils down to giving qualifying parents and students a choice.
"What right do you have to substitute your judgment for other parents'?" he said, speaking generally to the bill's opponents. "Parents get to make those decisions."
The bill is scheduled to go to the Policy & Steering Committee on Ways and Means March 18.
