Latest news with #UniversalSchoolChoiceAct
Axios
4 days ago
- Business
- Axios
Scoop: Cruz's $10 billion pitch to Trump on school choice
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) is pushing to give controversial pro-school choice measures in the "One Big, Beautiful Bill" an extra boost— taking his pitch straight to President Trump this week, Axios has learned. Why it matters: Reconciliation presents a rare opportunity to pass GOP priorities along party lines. Hill leaders are pushing for as much as they can. Driving the news: Cruz met with Trump at the White House on Thursday along with Reps. Burgess Owens (R-Utah) and Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) who cosponsored the House's version of Cruz's bill. Trump expressed support for their efforts, though did not make any explicit commitments, according to sources familiar with the meeting. The lawmakers were in the Oval Office as the public X feud between Trump and Elon Musk heated up. In the meeting, Trump expressed support for school choice efforts, though did not make any explicit commitments, according to sources familiar. What they're saying: "The President is a supporter of school choice, and has delivered major wins on this issue across the country in states such as Texas," said White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers. "Every child in America deserves access to a quality education that meets their individual needs, regardless of race, ethnicity, income, or zip code," Cruz said in a statement when he introduced his bill. Zoom in: The "One Big Beautiful Bill" already provides up to $5 billion a year in federal tax credits for people who donate to nonprofits that provide scholarships and focus on alternatives to public education. Cruz wants to double that number to $10 billion a year, to match his Universal School Choice Act, which he introduced late last month. The $10 billion a year number has been cut down twice by the House Ways and Means committee. Cruz also wants other adjustments, like removing a limit for families making 300% of their area's median income, ensuring religious schools can benefit and allowing corporations to count donations to groups out of state. Between the lines: Public education advocates are adamantly opposed to such voucher programs, arguing they only benefit wealthy Americans who already can afford to send their kids to private schools, while hurting needed public school funding.
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Senator Ted Cruz pushes $10 billion federal plan to give families more control over US K-12 education
Senator Ted Cruz unveils $10 billion US bill to expand K-12 school choice through tax credits. (Getty Images) Senator Ted Cruz is set to introduce new legislation titled the Universal School Choice Act , a sweeping federal proposal designed to expand access to K-12 education options across the US. The bill, which aims to provide $10 billion annually in federal tax credits , would incentivize individuals and businesses to donate to nonprofit organizations that grant scholarships for elementary and secondary students. The Texas Republican is positioning the legislation as a major step toward empowering parents and reshaping the national education landscape. In a statement shared by his office, Cruz described school choice as 'the civil rights issue of the 21st century' and emphasized that 'every child in America deserves access to a quality education that meets their individual needs.' As reported by the Texas Tribune, Cruz stated that he is 'committed to leading this fight until universal school choice has become available to every American. ' Bill would expand private and religious education options The Universal School Choice Act would create significant financial incentives through federal tax credits. These credits, unlike deductions, reduce the amount of tax owed directly, making them a powerful tool for encouraging charitable donations. The bill sets aside $10 billion each year to support contributions to scholarship-granting organizations. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like These Are The Most Beautiful Women In The World Undo These nonprofits would then distribute the funds to students for a range of educational expenses. According to details released by Cruz's office and reported by the Texas Tribune, the scholarships could be used not only for tuition but also for books, tutoring, dual enrollment programs, and other school-related costs. This includes funding for students attending religious schools and those being homeschooled, though payments to family members of students would not be allowed under the bill. Part of a growing Republican push on education School choice has increasingly become a central plank in the Republican education platform. GOP lawmakers have advocated for policies that emphasize parental control over education, especially regarding curriculum content, school closures, and religious inclusion in classrooms. This legislative push comes amid ongoing debates over topics such as LGBTQ+ rights, pandemic-era school policies, and the presence of controversial books in school libraries. As reported by the Texas Tribune, the Texas Public Policy Foundation, a conservative think tank based in Austin, has endorsed Cruz's proposal. The group played a key role in the passage of a Texas voucher program earlier this year, after a prolonged battle in the state legislature. That program allows public funds to cover private school tuition, a policy that has drawn both praise and criticism. Critics of such programs argue that taxpayer funds should prioritize improvements in public education rather than being directed toward private or religious institutions. Nonetheless, Cruz and supporters of the bill maintain that it offers families the freedom to choose the educational path that best suits their children, regardless of income or location. Invest in Their Tomorrow, Today: Equip your child with the essential AI skills for a future brimming with possibilities | Join Now
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Rep. Burgess Owens' proposed school choice bill in the House now has a companion in the Senate
Utah Rep. Burgess Owens' recent school choice bill offering tax incentives for contributions supporting student scholarships now has a companion bill in the U.S. Senate. On Tuesday, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz introduced the 'Universal School Choice Act' that allows up to $10 billion annually in dollar-for-dollar federal tax credits for individuals and businesses that contribute to non-profit scholarship-granting organizations. Owens introduced similar legislation in the House earlier this year, telling the Deseret News it's 'one small step toward making sure that every child — no matter what ZIP code, what race, what background — has a choice.' Cruz's Senate bill is designed, according to his office, 'to enhance universal school choice and options for every child, regardless of where they live.' The Republican senator calls school choice 'the civil rights issue of the 21st century.' 'Every child in America deserves access to a quality education that meets their individual needs, regardless of race, ethnicity, income, or ZIP code,' said Cruz in a Tuesday press release. In a statement Tuesday, Owens said he's grateful for Cruz's partnership 'to help lead the most transformational expansion of school choice' the nation's ever seen. 'Once the envy of the world, America's math, reading, and writing scores have plummeted — yet again a consequence of the federal government's one-size-fits-all approach to education, which continues to leave our kids unprepared for the demands of today's workforce,' said Owens. 'The Universal School Choice Act empowers parents to take the driver's seat in their child's future, unlocking a menu of education options that meet their unique needs.' The Utah Republican has been a vocal advocate for school choice, arguing it offers parents opportunities to determine the right educational paths for their children. For some, he said, the right choice might be the local public school. For others, it's a parochial school or maybe homeschooling. Cruz's bill would amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide a tax credit for individuals and corporations making contributions designated for scholarships benefiting qualified elementary and secondary school students. Individuals would be allowed a tax credit equal to the total of qualified contributions made in a taxable year — with maximum limits of 10% of adjusted gross income, or $5,000. Scholarship recipients would be allowed to use the money to cover tuition, fees, curricular materials and other educational expenses — including those for home-schooled students and special education services. Eligible scholarship-granting organizations must be nonprofit organizations that primarily engage in providing scholarship and operate under established guidelines such as undergoing independent audits and maintaining proper records. Scholarships should prioritize returning students, siblings of current recipients and those from low-income households. Organizers must avoid earmarking of funds for specific students. Parents retain the right to use scholarships at any qualified institution. The bill also includes protections preventing exclusion of private and religious schools from utilizing the scholarships. Of course, school choice/vouchers/scholarships debates remain litigious educational topics in Utah. Last month, a 3rd District judge ruled that the Utah Fits All Scholarship program currently being utilized by thousands of Utah children was unconstitutional. In her decision against the scholarship program, Judge Laura Scott said that because Utah Fits All is created by the Utah Legislature and a publicly funded educational program, it must satisfy the constitutional requirements applicable to the 'public education system' set forth in the Utah Constitution. The Legislature, added Scott, does not have the authority 'to circumvent these constitutional requirements by simply declining to 'designate' the program as part of the public education system.' Scott later decided the school voucher program could continue pending the expected defendants' appeal before the Utah Supreme Court. The Utah Fits All Scholarship program gives eligible K-12 students up to $8,000 a year for private school tuition and other costs. It went into effect in the fall of 2024. In its suit against the state, the Utah Education Association and other plaintiffs argued that the program violated the Utah Constitution because it diverts income tax revenue to fund private schools. Meanwhile, proponents of the program have countered that the program did not affect the state's system of public schools, but was in addition to that constitutional requirement, and that it cleared the bar of using income tax to support children. Following the judge's ruling, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox and legislative supporters of the scholarship program said they are preparing to appeal the decision to the Utah Supreme Court.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Sen. Cruz to introduce school choice bill
Sen. Ted Cruz will introduce a school choice bill Tuesday, according to Cruz's office, that would encourage donations for scholarships to K-12 public or private school students. The bill, which he has titled the Universal School Choice Act, would allow for $10 billion annually in federal tax credits for people and businesses that contribute to nonprofits that grant scholarships to elementary and secondary school students. 'School choice is the civil rights issue of the 21st century,' Cruz wrote in a news release. 'Every child in America deserves access to a quality education that meets their individual needs, regardless of race, ethnicity, income, or zip code. I remain committed to leading this fight until universal school choice has become available to every American, and I call upon my colleagues to expeditiously take up and advance this legislation.' The scholarships could be used for tuition, books, tutoring, dual enrollment and other school-related expenses. The funds could be used for expenses related to attending religious schools and home schooling, but not for payments to family members of the student. Tax credits reduce the amount of tax owed and go beyond tax deductions, which reduce the amount of income subject to tax. School choice has become a leading Republican policy push in recent years as the party has emphasized parent's rights in K-12 education by advocating for initiatives on topics such as LGBTQ+ rights, religion, COVID-19 shutdowns and the content of children's books. Texas became the latest state to offer publicly funded vouchers to pay for private school tuitions this year after a yearslong battle in the state legislature. Supporters of voucher programs say they increase opportunities for families to choose what type of schooling their children should receive, with less financial limitations. Critics of the Texas voucher program argued that the funding should instead be spent on improving public schools in Texas. The Texas Public Policy Foundation, an Austin-based conservative think tank that pushed for the Texas voucher program, has endorsed Cruz's bill. Disclosure: Texas Public Policy Foundation has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here. First round of TribFest speakers announced! Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Maureen Dowd; U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-San Antonio; Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker; U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff, D-California; and U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Dallas are taking the stage Nov. 13–15 in Austin. Get your tickets today!
