The Mobile County Republican Party has officially endorsed the recently filed full school choice bill in the Alabama Legislature.
The long-awaited Parental Rights in Children's Education (PRICE) Act, which would offer comprehensive school choice in Alabama, was filed in the Alabama House and Senate on Tuesday.
The Senate version of the bill, Senate Bill 202 (SB202), has been introduced by State Sen. Larry Stutts (R-Tuscumbia). State Rep. Ernie Yarbrough is carrying House Bill 295 (HB295) in the House.
Alabama House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter (R-Rainsville) and Senate Pro Tem. Greg Reed (R-Jasper) have downplayed the possibility of a total school choice option passing the legislature this year.
At Tuesday's press conference, where lawmakers and advocates rolled out the PRICE Act, former Alabama Republican Party (ALGOP) chairwoman Terry Lathan read a statement from current ALGOP chairman John Wahl.
In the statement, Wahl stated his support for school choice without naming the PRICE Act specifically.
"We trust that parents know the needs of their children better than any government," Wahl's statement read. "And we support returning control of our education system back to our state's mothers and fathers who have the most invested in it. That's why the Alabama Republican Party supports school choice."
On Wednesday, the Mobile County GOP came out in full support of the PRICE Act, calling it "one of the strongest parental school choice bills in the nation."
"The PRICE Act (Parental Rights in Children's Education) would allow parents and families, who pay their taxes into the state educational funding process, to make the ultimate decision of where their child should attend school with their dollars," said Mobile County GOP chairwoman Tricia Strange. "The PRICE Act is a 100% educational choice bill for those participating either as a student or as an education institution that does not change any current Alabama laws for schools or homeschool families."
She continued, "We support our Republican platform, officials, parents and students in implementing the PRICE Act. This bill is true family freedom with family dollars. As states around the nation are rightfully turning the controls of education over to parents, we support Alabama joining the parental choice movement across our nation. This can, and should, be our legacy."
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email craig.monger@1819news.com.
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