Category Education

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EDUCATION

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This bill will be voted on in the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee, TODAY, 1/21 at 9AM in Senate Room A, Room 305, of the General Assembly Building.

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SUPPORT

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SUPPORT: SB1085 – Education Choice Tax Credits

Creates two refundable tax credits empowering parental education choice: Up to $5,000 for homeschool/private school expenses and up to $1,500 for public school expenses. Lower-income families get additional $2,500 credit. Program capped at $25M annually with automatic 10% increase if 90% used. Supports family freedom in education decisions while reducing their tax burden.

• To see bill text and info: Click HERE

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Please contact these Senators and ask them to vote YES on SB1085.

Senate: Finance and Appropriations Committee	District	Phone	Email
Chair: Senator L. Louise Lucas (D)	18	(804) 698-7518	senatorlucas@senate.virginia.gov
Senator Jennifer B. Boysko (D)	38	(804) 698-7538	senatorboysko@senate.virginia.gov
Senator R. Creigh Deeds (D)	11	(804) 698-7511	senatordeeds@senate.virginia.gov
Senator Adam P. Ebbin (D)	39	(804) 698-7539	senatorebbin@senate.virginia.gov
Senator Barbara A. Favola (D)	40	(804) 698-7540	senatorfavola@senate.virginia.gov
Senator Ghazala F. Hashmi (D)	15	(804) 698-7515	senatorhashmi@senate.virginia.gov
Senator Mamie E. Locke (D)	23	(804) 698-7523	senatorlocke@senate.virginia.gov
Senator David W. Marsden (D)	35	(804) 698-7535	senatormarsden@senate.virginia.gov
Senator Ryan T. McDougle (R)	26	(804) 698-7526	senatormcdougle@senate.virginia.gov
Senator Jeremy S. McPike (D)	29	(804) 698-7529	senatormcpike@senate.virginia.gov
Senator Mark D. Obenshain (R)	2	(804) 698-7502	senatorobenshain@senate.virginia.gov
Senator Todd E. Pillion (R)	6	(804) 698-7506	senatorpillion@senate.virginia.gov
Senator Bryce E. Reeves (R)	28	(804) 698-7528	senatorreeves@senate.virginia.gov
Senator Richard H. Stuart (R)	25	(804) 698-7525	senatorstuart@senate.virginia.gov
Senator Scott A. Surovell (D)	34	(804) 698-7534	senatorsurovell@senate.virginia.gov

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Bill Update From 1/20

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Status: This bill passed the Senate Public Education Subcommittee. It will now be sent to the full Senate Health and Education Committee.

OPPOSE: SB1031 – Religious Exemption for Education Requirements

Attacks the homeschooling religious exemption process by requiring parents to meet educational qualifications, submit annual notices and progress reports, and demonstrate certain instruction methods.

• To see bill text and info: Click HERE

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Status: This bill passed the Senate Public Education Subcommittee. It will now be sent to the full Senate Health and Education Committee.

OPPOSE: SB979 – Delayed implementation of new Public School Accountability System

This bill directs the Department of Education to delay for one year the implementation of the revised public school accountability system adopted recently by the State Board of Education after robust research and discussion.

• To see bill text and info: Click HERE

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Status: This bill was killed in the Senate Public Education Subcommittee through the motion to pass by indefinitely.

SUPPORT: SB1346 – Virginia Opportunity Scholarships

The Virginia Opportunity Scholarship program is designed to give students greater access to learning opportunities that best meet their needs. 10,000 eligible K-12 students can receive $5,000 per academic year. This program is for Virginia students whose household income does not exceed $81,120 for a family of four. This scholarship puts money directly into families’ hands for expenses of attending an accredited private school in Virginia including, tuition, transportation, books, and other qualified educational expenses— such as summer school programs— so families can access the opportunities that work best for their child.

• To see bill text and info: Click HERE