Ga. senators ready to deny proposed budget cut to school voucher program
ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - Lt. Gov. Burt Jones published an op-ed in of expanding school choice across Georgia, while the House looks to cut funding from the program.
The Georgia House of Representatives ed its version of the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget this week, which included a funding cut of nearly $100 million to the Georgia Promise scholarship.
The Senate is now considering the House proposal. Jones said the Senate will prioritize fully complying with funding at 1% of the total appropriation for the Quality Basic Education Program, as prescribed by Senate Bill 233.
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“One of the best ways we can Georgia’s foster families is by ensuring they have the necessary resources to make the best decisions for their children’s futures,” Jones said. “That is why I am a firm advocate for Senate Bill 152, a measure that ed the Senate and is now under consideration in the House. Further, I will prioritize adding back the $100 million, removed by the House, from the Georgia Promise scholarship.”
The Georgia Promise Scholarship bill sponsor, state Sen. Greg Dolezal (R-Cumming), told Atlanta News First he expects the funding will be restored and school choice advocates need not worry.
“For every dollar that we spend on public school, we’re gonna spend an additional penny on the Georgia Promise scholarship. There’s a small allocation already, so to take that already small allocation and reduce it even further, I think is going to do the students of Georgia a disservice,” said Dolezal.
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Dolezal is working to expand eligibility requirements.
Senate Bill 152 was introduced by Dolezal, and it will expand eligibility for the Georgia Promise scholarship to biological and adoptive children of foster care parents.
The scholarship enables eligible families to use $6,500 in state-funded scholarships toward a non-public education of their choice.
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