1/24/25 Legislative Update: Call to Action on HB 1433

It is rare that MPE issues a call to action, so our doing so should indicate the importance of this information. MPE is asking our members to call their representative and ask him/her to vote no on HB 1433, a school choice and voucher bill that sends public money to private schools and opens the door for universal school choice in our state. While HB 1433 allows students in D and F schools/districts to attend another school/district or private school of their choice, it could be amended in the future to allow any student to do so (i.e., universal school choice). In addition, HB 1433 provides that base per-pupil funding would follow students who transfer which could result in a significant financial drain on districts with already limited resources, potentially exacerbating inequities.

In our Fall 2024 MPE Member Survey, 81% of respondents did not support legislation that would allow families to send their children to private schools at taxpayer expense via vouchers. We should focus on continuing the progress and advancements our public schools have seen in recent years rather than providing public resources to private schools.

In our Fall 2024 MPE Member Survey, 81% of respondents did not support legislation that would allow families to send their children to private schools at taxpayer expense via vouchers. We should focus on continuing the progress and advancements our public schools have seen in recent years rather than providing public resources to private schools.

Click here for contact information for legislators by school district. Please call your representative by Tuesday morning, January 28, and ask them to vote no on HB 1433 or any other choice or voucher bill. Calls and texts are far more effective than emails. The public may call the capitol switchboard (12-5 Monday; 8-5 Tuesday-Thursday; 8-12 Friday) at 601-359-3770 to leave a message for any representative.

House Education met Wednesday and passed 11 bills. Visit our Facebook page for a list of those bills. House and Senate Education are both expected to meet the week of January 27. Committees must consider and pass general bills originating in their own chamber (i.e., House or Senate) by Tuesday, February 4. MPE will share our first bill tracking spreadsheet after this February 4 committee deadline.