Although the 2024 legislative session seems an eternity away, Alabama Republican Party chairman John Wahl told APTV's "Capitol Journal" last week he was still optimistic about the future of school choice.
Possible sticking points of the failed 2023 effort sponsored by State Sen. Larry Stutts (R-Tuscumbia) laid out by WVNN host Dale Jackson during an interview with State Sen. Arthur Orr (R-Decatur) on Friday included the percentage of money leaving public school coffers and going to private or home schools and the lack of an income cap.
All of those, Jackson said, would have to be dealt with if any iteration of school choice legislation were to have a chance.
Orr, the Senate Education Budget Committee chairman, acknowledged those issues. However, he also said he anticipated "some sort of school choice legislation" possibly making it through the Alabama Legislature in 2024.
"I think that's the starting point," Orr replied. "I don't know that that is where we wind up. But I think we start one bite at a time ... and you've identified three primary issues in the subject. We'll just see what the consensus can gather around. But I would not be surprised to see some sort of school choice legislation passed in the next session."
Jeff Poor is the editor in chief of 1819 News and host of "The Jeff Poor Show," heard Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-noon on Mobile's FM Talk 106.5. To connect or comment, email jeff.poor@1819News.com or follow him on Twitter @jeff_poor.
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