EXCLUSIVE: Swing State Lays Groundwork To Stop Democrats From Abolishing School Choice Program

Georgia Republican Lt. Governor Burt Jones unveiled legislation on Monday that would prevent future Democrat administrations in the state from revoking Georgia’s participation in the federal school choice tax credit program.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act gives parents access to scholarships to send their kids to better schools through the Education Freedom Tax Credit system. However, individual states must opt in to allow families to benefit from that program. Since a state’s decision to join can vary by gubernatorial administration, Jones is taking action now to ensure Georgia will be permanently covered regardless of such shifts in leadership.

The federal program allows any individual to receive a tax credit of up to $1,700 for contributions made to a Scholarship Granting Organization. However, only families in states that have opted in to the program can benefit from the scholarships the organizations then distribute.

In other words, by incentivizing donations, the tax credit helps sustain expanded school choice for state residents over the long term, without direct government interference.

Jones is introducing a bill that will make Georgia’s participation in the program permanent, preventing any future governor from revoking the state’s enrollment. If signed into law, Senate Bill 446 would direct the Department of Revenue “to perpetually keep Georgia in the program,” according to a press release obtained first by the Daily Caller News Foundation.

“I am proud to lead the effort in the General Assembly to ensure the Education Freedom Tax Credit continues in Georgia,” Jones told the DCNF. “I will always champion school choice and ways to provide families with affordable education opportunities in our great state.”

Georgia officially opted in to the program on Jan. 20. The District of Columbia and 23 states, such as Minnesota, California and New York, have not signed up.

The state passed a bill in 2024 that created the Georgia Promise Scholarship, which gives families located in poorly-performing school districts as much as $6,500 per year to pursue non-public school options or to cover tutoring services.

“Every Georgia parent deserves the freedom to choose the educational environment that best meets their child’s unique needs,” Jones said in the press release. “School choice is about opportunity, accountability, and putting students and their unique needs first. When parents are empowered, schools improve, and children succeed. Georgia is leading the way — and we’re just getting started.”