Empowering America’s Youth: Rep. Burgess Owens Introduces Key Bill to Transform Education Investment

Utah Rep. Burgess Owens is pushing for a new bill that could change how school funding works in the U.S. His proposal would give tax breaks to individuals and businesses that help fund school choice scholarships.

Owens has long been an advocate for school choice. He believes all American children should have the best education possible. He points out that the current public education system isn’t meeting that goal. “We have 25% to 30% of our kids not proficient in math and reading,” he says. He emphasizes the need for a shift in how we approach education in America and argues that school choice is a crucial part of that change.

This week, Owens reintroduced the Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA). If passed, this legislation could provide up to $10 billion each year for K-12 education. Families could use these funds for public, private, or homeschooling costs like tuition and supplies.

Owens believes this act will help level the playing field for all children, regardless of their background. Here are some key points about the ECCA:

• The act would create $10 billion in annual tax credits for individuals and businesses who contribute to scholarship organizations.
• There will be a base amount set for each state, and the credits will be given out on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs) will decide how much scholarship each student receives.
• To qualify, students must come from families earning 300% or less than the area median income.
• Eligible donations can include cash or stocks to these SGOs.
• SGOs must be charitable organizations and follow specific guidelines to ensure fair allocation of scholarships.

Owens’ commitment to education stems from his own life experiences. Growing up in the Deep South, he saw education as the key to success. His family valued education highly, believing it led to respect and opportunities. He feels the education system has deteriorated over the past several decades, especially in primary and secondary schools.

Owens argues that the education system should operate like a competitive business. “The only industry that hasn’t embraced competition is education,” he states. He insists that the lack of choice and merit in education has led to a failing system. The ECCA aims to correct that by allowing parents to choose the best educational paths for their children, whether that’s a public school, a private institution, or homeschooling.

Owens also acknowledges criticism of the ECCA, with some fearing it might drain resources from public schools. However, he disagrees, saying the bill benefits both businesses and parents by allowing them to invest in education while also receiving tax incentives. He believes school choice can strengthen the nation by enabling children to reach their full potential. Owens sees this as not just about education but as a matter of national security, saying that investing in children’s futures is crucial for the country’s success.

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