PIERRE, S.D. (KELO) – A bill allowing a program providing scholarships for students to attend private K-12 schools to expand is one step away from reaching Gov. Kristi Noem’s desk.
After a heated discussion about K-12 education in South Dakota, lawmakers on the House Education committee voted 10-5 to pass Senate Bill 72 to the House floor. SB72, which increases the amount insurance companies can divert money owed to the state treasury into a scholarship fund from $3 million to $5 million, has already passed the Senate by a 25-7 vote earlier this month.
“This is a scholarship program that we’re talking about,” Republican Rep. Tyler Tordsen said. “This is about providing options for those whose options are limited and this is an easy one for me. My affirmative vote today is an all the above approach of education.”
Tordsen said public dollars should be put into public schools and the state does that with a very significant amount year over year.
“That continues to grow, which I support,” Tordsen said.