Statement on Future of Educational Options in Utah

Utah

Today, Patricia LevesqueExecutive Director of ExcelinEd in Action, issued the following statement on Governor Gary Herbert’s veto of House Bill 332eliminating the opportunity for hundreds of Utah students with special needs to find the right educational services that work for them.  

During these difficult times, it is important for states to provide more opportunities for families of children with special needs to find educational services and supports that work for their childIt is disappointing tha Governor Gary Herbert is denying a powerful lifeline for parents to find the right education environment for their child with special needs. 

Despite this setback, the momentum for educational choice in Utah is strong and growing. We remain hopeful that Utah legislators will continue to make empowering parents and students with educational opportunities a priority. 

I commend the leadership of Representative Mike Schultz, Senator Lincoln Fillmore and the Utah Legislature, as well as our partners Sutherland Institute, Libertas Institute, SKAAGS Catholic Center and others for their commitment to prioritizing the educational needs of all students. 

This legislation would have established a $6 million tax-credit scholarship program for students with special needs to receive support to cover educational services such as private school tuition, educational therapies, tutoring, online learning, textbooks and other education-related services and products. 

COVID-19: You can find resources for state leaders on COVID-19 by clicking here, including highlighted solutions from states across the country. 

For more information on the transformative power of education opportunity, visit ExcelinEd’s policy library. 

Solution Areas:

Private Education Choice

Topics:

Tax Credit Scholarships