Bill description: SB 1328 would allocate state funding to students at nonpublic schools, who may use it to take dual credit or AP tests.

Rating: -2

Does it increase government spending (for objectionable purposes) or debt? Conversely, does it decrease government spending or debt? 

SB 1328 specifically designates funds to pay for nonpublic students to take “up to four (4) advanced placement exams, up to two (2) exams per year, and dual credits … not to exceed nine (9) credits per academic year and eighteen (18) total credits per student.”

This bill establishes that these funds will come from appropriating 1% of the existing advanced opportunities fund for classes and exams taken by nonpublic students. According to the statement of purpose, that equates to around $200,000. This $200,000 represents money that could instead be returned to taxpayers if not in use, but in place of that, this bill would distribute that taxpayer money to private school students.

(-1)

Does it increase government redistribution of wealth? Examples include the use of tax policy or other incentives to reward specific interest groups, businesses, politicians, or government employees with special favors or perks; transfer payments; and hiring additional government employees. Conversely, does it decrease government redistribution of wealth? 

SB 1328 gives taxpayer dollars to private school and other nonpublic students. This is a direct redistribution of wealth, and an unfair one at that. Some of the taxpayers who have their money taken from them may not be able to afford dual credit exams for their own children. Alternatively, the money taken from those taxpayers could be used by their own children for other fee-based programs, such as career technical education. In this case, though, their money is taken from them just because the government has determined that another child’s education is more important because they are taking dual credit courses.

(-1)