Mississippi lawmakers debated for hours at the State Capitol before narrowly approving a major education reform proposal that would allow public education dollars to be used for private schooling.
House Bill 2 passed the Mississippi House by a 61–59 vote, reflecting deep divisions among lawmakers over the future of public education and school choice in the state.
The most controversial provision of the bill would create education scholarship accounts, often referred to as school vouchers, that would allow families to use public funds to pay for private school tuition. Supporters argue the measure expands parental choice, while opponents say it would weaken already struggling public school systems.
House Speaker Jason White, the bill’s chief supporter, emphasized that the legislation is not intended to undermine public education.
“This is not an attack on public schools,” White said. “We can have great public schools and give our parents some options in 2026 in Mississippi. And I’m excited that our House members took that first step today.”
Critics strongly disagreed. Rep. Jeffrey Harness warned that voucher programs divert resources away from public schools, particularly in rural areas where schools serve as community anchors.
“School voucher bills are not about choice,” Harness said. “They are about abandoning public education. In Mississippi, public schools are not just buildings. They are the anchors of our communities. They are often the largest employers in the rural counties. They are where children eat, learn, grow, and have stability. When you drain money from public schools, you don’t create opportunity. You create collapse.”
Democratic lawmakers also raised concerns about accountability, arguing that private schools accepting public funds should be held to the same academic and transparency standards as public schools. Supporters countered that participating private schools would be required to administer nationally recognized standardized tests.
The vote did not fall strictly along party lines. Seventeen Republicans joined Democrats in voting against the bill, underscoring the contentious nature of the proposal—even within the majority party. House Bill 2 represents the Speaker’s top legislative priority for the current session.
Despite its passage in the House, the bill faces an uncertain future in the Senate. The Senate Education chairman has indicated that the upper chamber is only willing to consider school choice legislation that allows transfers between public schools, not the use of public funds for private education.
As the debate continues, the fate of House Bill 2 will likely hinge on whether lawmakers can bridge the divide between expanding parental choice and protecting Mississippi’s public school system.
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