South Carolina House Ways and Means Committee Votes YES on School Choice Bill, H. 4894

Washington, DC- Following intense grassroots pressure from FreedomWorks activists across the state of South Carolina, the House and Ways and Means Committee voted to pass H.4894 by a margin of 16-8. The bill uses tax credits and deductions to empower families and business entrepreneurs to send students to schools that best meet the individual needs of each student. A full house vote is expected the week of March 20th.

FreedomWorks and its network of 20,000 activists across the state have engaged in the grassroots campaign to pass education reform legislation since day one, arming distribution centers across the state with tens of thousands of voter education materials, including door hangers, yard signs, district-targeted palm cards, tee shirts and bumper stickers.

“We are taking a moment to celebrate the small victory today, but we have a long way to go,” commented David Spielman, Campaigns Coordinator for FreedomWorks. “South Carolina currently spends about $12,000 per student each year, but it is ranked 47th in the nation in test scores. The numbers don’t lie. Legislators talk a good game, but if they are serious about putting children first, they will enact real education reform in South Carolina. And that starts with passing H. 4894.”

The next step in the battle to pass school choice will take place in the next week, when the House brings H. 4894 to the floor for a full vote. If the legislation passes, FreedomWorks activists will turn their full attention to the Senate, targeting those in opposition to the bill.  

“In South Carolina, the Senate is where good legislation goes to die, but not this time around,” added Spielman. “Every day our activists are out walking neighborhoods, making phone calls, and engaging voters on social media. Parents and families are sending a clear warning to the Senate: If you kill this bill, you pay at the ballot box.”  

FreedomWorks has prepared a mail piece targeting 4 Senators that have been identified as road blocks to this reform, and plans to drop it following the House vote.  For more information on the FreedomWorks school choice campaign, contact Press Secretary Jackie Bodnar at 202-942-7652 or jbodnar@freedomworks.org.