School Choice Ohio provides a decent run down of pending legislation that would expand voucher programs in Ohio
Rep. Matt Huffman’s proposal to create an income-based voucher and a special education voucher; The proposal has bipartisan support and dozens of cosponsors
(Also see related proposal: Senate Bill 128)
- Expanded Eligibility: Income-based and special education
- Incorporates the EdChoice and Cleveland Scholarships
- Voucher amount: $2,300-$4,600, depending on family income; $6,000-$26,000 for special education scholarships
- Number of vouchers: Unlimited
- Private school students eligible? Yes, incremental phase-in
- Timeline: Unknown, hearings have begun in House Education committee.
State biennium budget; Proposal from Gov. John Kasich includes EdChoice expansion
- Expanded Eligibility: Additional low-rated public schools
- Voucher amount: $4,250 for K-8; $5,000 for high school
- Number of vouchers: 30,000 for 2011-12 school year, 60,000 for the 2012-13 school year
- Private school students eligible? No
- Timeline: By state law, budget must be finalized by June 30
Proposal from Sen. Kris Jordan to create a dollar-for-dollar tax credit for individuals and businesses who donate to scholarship organizations like the Children’s Scholarship Fund
- Expanded Eligibility: Income-based
- Voucher amount: $4,250 for K-8; $7,000 for high school
- Number of vouchers: roughly 4,000-5,000
- Private school students eligible? Yes
- Timeline: Unknown, hearings have begun in the Senate Ways and Means and Economic Development committee
Proposal to increase the number of EdChoice Scholarships by Sen. Gary Cates
(Also see related proposal House Bill 115)
- Expanded Eligibility: No
- Voucher amount: $4,250 for K-8, $5,000 for high school
- Number of vouchers: Unlimited
- Private school students eligible: No
- Timeline: Unknown, hearings have begun in the Senate Education committee
Needless to say, these bills would suck money away from the majority of students who attend a public school.