House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Brian White (R-Anderson) and Representative Eric Bedingfield (R-Greenville) were joined by 57 co-sponsors, including House Speaker Bobby Harrell and Majority Leader Kenny Bingham, in the South Carolina House for the latest school choice proposal to be introduced this year in the House. The bill would provide tax-credited scholarships to low-income and special needs students to attend a school that best suits their individual needs.
The low-income scholarship granting organizations are capped at $15 million, while the special needs scholarship granting organizations are capped at $10 million.
Additionally, parents in public, independent and home schools would be eligible to receive a tax deduction for their children who attend independent or home school and for students who transfer from one public school district to another.
Chairman White and Representative Bedingfield had each filed separate school choice legislation earlier in the session, but they came together with shared principles and introduced H. 4894 to make school choice a reality in South Carolina.
“It’s unprecedented to have nearly 60 co-sponsors. School choice supporters look forward to having the House quickly pass this bill and move it on to the State Senate so that all parents can have the opportunity to pursue the best classroom for their children” said Randy Page, President of South Carolinians for Responsible Government.
The bill, H. 4894, has been assigned to the House Ways and Means Committee.
