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Senate passes Carson Smith special‑needs scholarship after extended debate over access and funding
Summary
The Senate passed a bill to create a special‑needs scholarship program for certain students, prompting sustained debate over whether the program circumvents public‑school obligations, how many students would benefit, and whether future legislatures can be bound to appropriate scholarship funds.
The Senate approved the Carson Smith special‑needs scholarship (third substitute House Bill 115) after lengthy discussion about access, equity and funding. The measure would create a scholarship mechanism intended to serve children with significant disabilities by allowing qualifying families to use state scholarships at approved special‑needs schools.
Supporters described the bill as narrowly targeted to children whose needs are not met in local public…
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