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Committee approves repeal of Empowering Parents grant; supporters and critics clash over who benefits
Summary
Senate Bill 1142, which would repeal the state-funded Empowering Parents Grant program, received a due-pass recommendation after hours of testimony from parents, vendors, educators and advocacy groups offering competing views on the program’s impact and who it serves.
The Senate Education Committee voted to send Senate Bill 1142 to the Senate floor with a due-pass recommendation after extended testimony both defending and opposing repeal of the Empowering Parents Grant program.
Senator Camille Blaylock, sponsor of the measure, told the committee the grant began as Strong Families, Strong Students during the COVID-19 pandemic with $50 million in federal relief and later continued in state funds as the Empowering Parents Grant. “The emergency that justified this program is over,” Blaylock said, arguing the program has evolved into a permanent $30 million annual appropriation and that much of the money is now spent on electronics rather than tutoring or direct academic supports. “If we don't take action now, this program risks becoming a permanent entitlement,” she said.
Testimony in committee…
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