As the end of the current Legislative session creeps closer, lawmakers are focused on the 2026 Fiscal Year budget. Members of the House passed their version of the budget last week and have passed it on to the Senate. But there seems to be concern over the House’s decision to strip nearly $100 million from the original amount for Georgia Promise Scholarships – or school vouchers.
The House proposal drops the funding from this program to about $45 million. However, Kemp included $141 million in his budget proposal.
The Georgia Promise Scholarship Act was established last year provides up to $6,500 to children and families at schools with low achievement rates and allows them to either pay for tuition at a private or charter school, as well as cover costs of school supplies. Its supporters say it is a tool to improve educational outcomes in low-performing school zones.
Over 5,000 Georgia families have completed applications for the Georgia Promise Scholarship, but the program may not be able to fund as many public school students as promised, according to state education agency leaders. Lynne Riley, president of the Georgia Finance Student Commission said another round of applications for the voucher program is set to open in June 2025.
Presenting the budget on Tuesday, Rep. Matt Hatchett, R-Dublin, who chairs the House Appropriations Committee, said lawmakers had to make difficult budget decisions, with many important initiatives vying for funding.
However, the Senate’s position is to “make sure families have access to the scholarships and return the $100 million to match the governor’s number in that area,” according to reports.
In a recent Op-Ed in the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Lt. Gov. Burt Jones said, “The Senate is now considering the House proposal and will prioritize fully complying with funding at one percent of the total appropriation for the Quality Basic Education Program, as prescribed by Senate Bill 233.”
Jones went on to point out the Senate recently passed SB 152 by Sen. Greg Dolezal, R-Cumming, which will expand eligibility for the Georgia Promise Scholarship to biological and adoptive children of foster care parents
