Marietta Lawmaker Pushes for Hike in Private Scholarship Donations

MARIETTA, GA -- State Rep. John Carson of Marietta is proposing a bill that would dramatically increase the amount of money donors can give to private school scholarship programs. House Bill 217 would also raise the income tax credits tied to such donations.

Georgia law states that individuals and companies are allowed a tax credit -- about $58 million annually -- for donating to private student scholarship organizations (SSOs). Under HB 217, that figure would increase to around $150 million for the 2017-2018 school year and steadily climb over the next four years.

The tax credit has received criticism in recent years with opponents arguing that it is unconstitutional and excludes public schools. But advocates say the program is a rousing success, which explains why the scholarship money is usually claimed on the first day it becomes available.

The matter has reached the Georgia Supreme Court, who is expected to rule on it later this year.

Carson, who represents District 46 covering northeast Cobb and southeast Cherokee counties, said that the most important issue should be school choice.

AJC: Bill would almost triple scholarship programs

“This week, I introduced legislation that will increase Georgia’s cap on the Student Scholarship Organization (SSO) credit, allowing more students to choose where they learn,” the Republican said in a statement Friday. “The program’s $58 million cap has been exceeded on the first day of applications for the past three years, and this year it was more than double. To the parents who have contributed to this program: we have heard you loud and clear. You absolutely want more school choice for Georgia’s kids.”

The legislation is one of two recent measures introduced by Marietta lawmakers that deal with private school funding.

House Bill 236, filed by Rep. Sam Teasley, stipulates that the tax credit money be made available on Jan. 1 and again later in the year, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Teasley, a Republican, represents District 37, which includes a large swath of Marietta and parts of western Cobb County.

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