South Carolina lawmakers are set to discuss the future of school choice in the state as a Senate subcommittee meets to address the Education Scholarship Trust Funds program. This program, signed into law in 2023, was recently ruled unconstitutional by the South Carolina Supreme Court as it used taxpayer money for private school tuition. Critics, including the State League of Women Voters, argue that diverting public funds to private education could harm public schools by reducing resources and opportunities. Proponents of the school voucher scheme, like Rep. Jordan Pace, believe that competition could drive improvements in public schools. Pace plans to reintroduce a bill that would provide a refundable tax credit of $7,000 to families with students in non-public schools. However, critics point out that such programs often benefit families already choosing private schools and may not fully cover costs for lower-income families. The debate over school choice continues in South Carolina as lawmakers navigate the complexities of education funding and accessibility.
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