TALLAHASSEE — "The signing of the school choice bill, HB 1403, cements Gov. Ron DeSantis’ place in the 'Florida Education Choice Hall of Fame' — and guarantees the inclusion of House Speaker Paul Renner and Senate Education Chairman Corey Simon as well. This trio followed up their historic 2023 universal scholarship legislation with a less-glamorous-but-nevertheless-important 2024 'streamlining' bill (HB 1403). Not only does this year’s measure make a number of needed improvements to Florida’s scholarship programs, but HB 1403 is also significant for what it did not do — impose sweeping restrictions on parents’ use of their scholarship accounts. Florida families should join JMI in saluting Gov. DeSantis, Speaker Renner, Sen. Simon, and all of the House and Senate members supporting final passage, for working to make certain Florida remains #1 in Education Freedom!” William Mattox, Director of the Marshall Center for Educational Options at The James Madison Institute.
The James Madison Institute is a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to the ideals of limited government, economic freedom, federalism, and individual liberty coupled with individual responsibility. The institute conducts research on such issues as criminal justice, health care, taxes, and regulatory environments.