Amendment to Education Scholarship Bill Headed for Governor Parson's Desk

Last week, in an historic vote, the Missouri Senate passed and sent to the governor's desk HB 349, sponsored Rep. Phil Christofanelli (R-St. Peters), which creates a tax credit to encourage donations to educational scholarship granting organizations that then grant scholarships to students currently attending public school and who have a learning disability that impacts their learning or are being raised in a low-income household. 

This week, as part of a previously negotiated deal to help gain Senate approval of HB 349, the Missouri House voted to cut the program in half.  The move happened Tuesday as an amendment to Senate Bill 86, an unrelated education bill.  Rep. Phil Christofanelli offered the amendment which cut the total amount of tax credits available in the program's first year from $50 million down to $25 million. Additionally, the $75 million cap on the program's growth would be reduced to $50 million.  The Missouri Senate is expected to pass the amendment before the end of session today.

To read more about this ESA bill, click here.