On Friday, March 6, the full House took up HB 7067 (Education), and Rep. Jennifer Sullivan, chair of the House Education Committee, answered questions on the bill. The proposal would accelerate growth of the Family Empowerment Scholarship (FES) program, which provides scholarships for nearly 18,000 students from low-income families to attend non-public schools this year. In addition to boosting the formula that increases the number of students allowed to participate in the program each year, the bill removes the requirement to attend public school the year prior to participation for students in grades 1 and 2. It also allows students to take up to two Florida Virtual School courses per school year without reducing their basic FES scholarship amounts. The Senate Appropriations Committee passed (13-8) the companion measure, SB 1220 (Diaz), on Tuesday, March 3. The bill is now available to be taken up on the floor of the full Senate. |