Georgia Republican Gov. Brian Kemp threw his support behind a measure to expand funding for private school vouchers after the legislation passed the state Senate.
Kemp approved Senate Bill 233 on Monday. It was the first time he publicly supported a legislative effort to expand school choice in the Peach State. The bill would provide a $6,500 annual voucher for student education.
In an interview Monday with Atlanta radio host Erick Erickson, the governor said the legislation was a “good bill” and urged House lawmakers to pass the bill before the legislative session ends Wednesday.
“I’m hopeful we’ll get this to the finish line,” Kemp said. “I think they’ve done a really good job on the legislation. They’ve listened to a lot of the criticism that’s out there and they’ve taken some suggestions on the issues and other things.”
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Georgia Republican Gov. Brian Kemp threw his support behind a measure to expand funding for private school vouchers. (Dustin Chambers/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
“It’s just a matter of getting the votes in the House, and I think they’ll be able to do that,” he continued.
The governor also joined a closed-door Georgia House GOP caucus meeting Tuesday for what one attendee said was “full-throated support” for legislation to expand private school bond funding, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
The governor has largely taken a backstage seat since the state Legislature was re-elected, choosing to remain silent on his position on the legislation. But Monday’s passage of Senate Bill 233 before the end of the legislative session could signal that it wants to be more aggressive in moving the measure forward.
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Kemp endorsed Senate Bill 233 on Monday in the first time he has publicly backed a legislative effort to expand school choice in the Peach State. (Megan Varner/Getty Images)
A group of lawmakers, mostly Republicans, sponsored a measure this year to give each student a $6,500 voucher to spend on private or home schooling to expand educational options for families beyond public schools.
The state would defund public schools for every student who takes their education dollars elsewhere.
Opponents of the bill say the vouchers would hurt local public school systems that need the extra funding, especially in poorer communities.
Last year, a similar proposal for $6,000 private school vouchers failed to pass.
Senate Bill 233 would provide a $6,500 annual voucher for student education. (Photo: Elijah Nouvelage/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
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But this year’s measure has gained momentum, having passed the Senate on a 33-23 vote earlier this month and is now in the hands of House lawmakers. Both chambers have Republican majorities.
The proposal stalled in the House last week, but could get another vote before the end of the legislative session on Wednesday.
“We will continue to be vigilant and continue to be strong advocates for choice in education,” Kemp said.