York County News

Rep. Joe D’Orsie (R-York) is set to introduce legislation in Pennsylvania that aims to provide students and their parents with greater educational choice. The proposed legislation, known as the Student Freedom Account Program, will be unveiled at a press conference on Monday, December 11th.

Joining D’Orsie at the press conference will be Rep. Milou Mackenzie (R-Lehigh/Montgomery/Northampton), a former teacher and current representative, as well as former House member Andrew Lewis, who previously authored educational choice legislation. Also in attendance will be Myles Slade-Bowers from the American Federation for Children, and a Harrisburg native who has benefited from the EITC scholarship.

Hera Varmah, who along with her siblings has benefited from school choice, will also be present. Varmah currently works as a communications and events assistant at The American Federation for Children.

The press conference will take place at 10 a.m. in the main rotunda at the state Capitol complex in Harrisburg. For those unable to attend in person, the event will be livestreamed on Rep. D’Orsie's website, RepJoeD.com.

This legislation has the potential to significantly impact the educational landscape in Pennsylvania. By providing students and parents with more options, it aims to empower them to choose the educational environment that best suits their needs.

In a statement, Rep. D’Orsie expressed his enthusiasm for the legislation, saying, "I believe that every student deserves access to a quality education. By creating the Student Freedom Account Program, we can ensure that students and parents have the ability to choose the educational opportunities that are right for them."

Rep. Mackenzie also emphasized the importance of educational choice, stating, "As a former teacher, I know that every child has different learning needs. This legislation will help to ensure that all students have the chance to thrive academically."

Andrew Lewis, who previously authored educational choice legislation, added, "I'm proud to support this new legislation, which builds upon the progress we have made in expanding educational options for Pennsylvania students."

The American Federation for Children, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting educational choice, has been a vocal supporter of this legislation. Myles Slade-Bowers, representing the organization, explained, "We firmly believe that parents should have the freedom to choose the best educational path for their children. The Student Freedom Account Program is a step in the right direction towards achieving that goal."

The press conference will provide an opportunity for lawmakers, educators, and advocates to come together and discuss the potential impact of this legislation. With the support of various stakeholders, there is hope that the Student Freedom Account Program will be able to provide greater educational choice for students and parents in Pennsylvania.

For additional details, please follow this link: https://www.repjoed.com/News/33253/Latest-News/D%E2%80%99Orsie-to-Unveil-Educational-Choice-Legislation-in-Pennsylvania