EDUCATION
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.
SUPPORT
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
Please contact these Senators and ask them to vote YES on SB1085.
| Senate: Finance and Appropriations Committee | District | Phone | |
| Chair: Senator L. Louise Lucas (D) | 18 | (804) 698-7518 | [email protected] |
| Senator Jennifer B. Boysko (D) | 38 | (804) 698-7538 | [email protected] |
| Senator R. Creigh Deeds (D) | 11 | (804) 698-7511 | [email protected] |
| Senator Adam P. Ebbin (D) | 39 | (804) 698-7539 | [email protected] |
| Senator Barbara A. Favola (D) | 40 | (804) 698-7540 | [email protected] |
| Senator Ghazala F. Hashmi (D) | 15 | (804) 698-7515 | [email protected] |
| Senator Mamie E. Locke (D) | 23 | (804) 698-7523 | [email protected] |
| Senator David W. Marsden (D) | 35 | (804) 698-7535 | [email protected] |
| Senator Ryan T. McDougle (R) | 26 | (804) 698-7526 | [email protected] |
| Senator Jeremy S. McPike (D) | 29 | (804) 698-7529 | [email protected] |
| Senator Mark D. Obenshain (R) | 2 | (804) 698-7502 | [email protected] |
| Senator Todd E. Pillion (R) | 6 | (804) 698-7506 | [email protected] |
| Senator Bryce E. Reeves (R) | 28 | (804) 698-7528 | [email protected] |
| Senator Richard H. Stuart (R) | 25 | (804) 698-7525 | [email protected] |
| Senator Scott A. Surovell (D) | 34 | (804) 698-7534 | [email protected] |
Bill Update From 1/20
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
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
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
