Florida Lawmakers Sends Universal School Choice Program To DeSantis’ Desk

The Florida Senate passed a piece of legislation on Thursday that would make all K-12 students eligible for state-funded vouchers.

In a 26-12 vote, the state Senate approved House Bill 1, sponsored by the Education Quality Subcommittee, which would make every family able to receive up to $8,000 through the Education Savings Accounts (ESA) program to cover education expenses outside of the public school system. The state House passed the bill on March 17 and the legislation now heads to Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ desk.

“We are funding students in this state,” Republican state Sen. Corey Simon, the senate sponsor of the bill, told NBC Miami. “Parents have spoken.”