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Senate passes school choice scholarship bill on third reading, 31-9
Summary
The South Carolina Senate gave third reading to S.62, a bill to restore and expand scholarship payments for students attending qualifying private schools and homeschools, and passed the measure on a 31-9 roll call. Lawmakers debated budgetary impacts, equity concerns and constitutional risk during extended floor debate.
The South Carolina Senate gave S.62 a third reading and passed the school choice scholarship bill, 31-9, sending the measure to the House.
Supporters said the bill restores scholarship payments and protects families who lost awards after a court decision; opponents warned it would strain lottery and general fund resources and do little to improve public schools.
Senator Grooms, the senator from Berkeley, argued for expansion and protecting students who lost previously promised payments. "I am for expanding the program. I want to go universal," he said, and urged the chamber to ensure the roughly 3,400 students who had scholarships revoked last year would…
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