Arkansas House Approves Governor's Education Legislation, Sends Back To Senate

By Antoinette Grajeda, Arkansas Advocate

March 2, 2023

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ broad education package is one step closer to becoming law following approval by the Arkansas House of Representatives Thursday.

After about an hour and a half of debate, lawmakers passed Senate Bill 294, also called the LEARNS Act, by a vote of 78-21.

All 18 Democrats were joined by three Republicans — Rep. Hope Duke (R-Gravette), Rep. Julie Mayberry (R-Hensley) and Rep. Jim Wooten (R-Beebe) — voting against the legislation.

Rep. Ron McNair (R-Harrison) voted present.

The LEARNS Act is the culmination of Sanders’ chief priority to make wide-ranging changes to the state’s education system. The legislation covers teacher pay, school safety, career readiness, literacy, “indoctrination,” a new voucher program and a variety of other topics.

“This bill is certainly unique in its size and scope, but the size of the challenge that we have in front of us and the expectations from children from every corner of our state demand that we act with boldness,” House sponsor Rep. Keith Brooks (R-Little Rock) said.

One of the most contentious pieces of the bill is the proposed Arkansas Children’s Educational Freedom Account Program, which would provide families state funds up to 90% of the annual per-student public school funding rate for use on allowable education expenses, like private school tuition, tutoring and homeschool costs. The program will have limited enrollment in the first two years before expanding to all families in the third year.

A vocal opponent of vouchers, Wooten delivered an impassioned speech against the bill that he said does not help public education because it diverts money away from public schools. He warned lawmakers that “this bill will come back to haunt you.”

“Don’t be stampeded by a knee-jerk reaction to an emotional issue that we know exists, but we have to deal with it some way,” he said. “We’ve got to, it’s our responsibility, but this is not the way.”

Because the bill was amended, it will have to again be approved by the Arkansas Senate. Brooks told the Arkansas Advocate Wednesday that the legislation will head back to the Senate Education Committee Monday and if approved, its final hurdle will be the full Senate on Tuesday.

This is a developing story that will be updated.

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