Family Education Freedom Act

The Family Education Freedom Act is a bill initially introduced in the United States House of Representatives by Representative Ron Paul (R-TX) in 1998. It would allow tax credits for education expenses.

On February 15, 2007, Rep. Paul introduced the Act again in the House, this time with an initial three co-sponsors, Tom Feeney (R-FL), Bobby Rush (D-IL), and Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI). The bill was designated H.R. 1056 and was referred to the Ways and Means Committee.[1] The bill has since gained three more co-sponsors, Roscoe Bartlett (R-MD), Patrick McHenry (R-NC), and Jeff Miller (R-FL).[1]

Summary of bill

The bill says that it will "amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow individuals a credit against income tax for tuition and related expenses for public and nonpublic elementary and secondary education."[1] The tax credit was originally $3,000 in past versions of the bill, and in 2007 the proposed tax credit was increased to $5,000 per child in school.[2]

While the tax credit could be used to pay private school tuition, it could also be used for any school-related expenses for those whose children attend public school or donate to extracurricular activities or for those whose child attends home school.[3] Qualified expenses would include tuition or fees, a personal computer, books, supplies, or transportation.[4]

History

Paul noted when introducing the bill originally that the state of Arizona had introduced similar tax credits, and the state found that it had increased resources available for education as a result.[5] He said, "The Arizona experience is further proof that putting control of education resources into the hands of the American people through education tax credits is the best way to improve education. Tax credits allow parents and other concerned citizens to devote more of their resources to education, and allow the American people to work with educators to ensure that all children have the opportunity to receive a quality education that suits each child's unique needs."[5]

The bill has been introduced in what Congressman Paul has described as the "Education Freedom Package," along with the Education Improvement Tax Cut Act, which would allow a $3,000 credit for donations to schools or scholarship programs, and the Teacher Tax Cut Act, which would allow a $1,000 tax deduction to be taken by all teachers.[6]

The bill has been referred to as "pro-homeschool,"[7][8] and the Home School Legal Defense Association has "strongly lobbied" for[9] and endorsed the bill in 2003, 2001 and as far back as 1997.[10] In 1999, the Minnesota Libertarian Party announced plans to pass a Minnesota version of the bill as part of an announced legislative agenda.[11]

As part of his 2008 presidential campaign, Paul said that if elected President, he would pass the Family Education Freedom Act.[12]

Past versions

Paul introduced this bill in other versions in other sessions of Congress.

This version was co-sponsored by Bartlett, Charlie Norwood (R-GA), and Bob Schaffer (R-CO).[13]
This version was initially co-sponsored by Bartlett, Tom Tancredo (R-CO), Sensenbrenner, Marilyn Musgrave (R-CO), and Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL)[14] and eventually gained 10 co-sponsors.[15] The bill was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.[15]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "H.R. 1056: Family Education Freedom Act of 2007". GovTrack. 2007-02-15. Retrieved 2007-09-13.
  2. ↑ "Tax Relief for Tax Time" (PDF). Sensenbrenner Congressional office. 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 25, 2007. Retrieved 2007-09-14.
  3. ↑ "Local Control Key to Education Reform". Oklahoma Council on Public Affairs. 2000. Archived from the original on 2007-08-06. Retrieved 2007-09-14.
  4. ↑ "Federal Tax Benefits for Families’ K-12 Education Expenses in the Context of School Choice" (PDF). First Amendment Center. 2003. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-07-25. Retrieved 2007-09-14.
  5. 1 2 "Federal Tax Credits Would Boost Educational Choice". School Reform News. Heartland Institute. 2000-12-01. Retrieved 2007-09-13.
  6. ↑ "Rep. Paul Introduces Education Package". Education Exchange newsletter. March 1999. Retrieved 2007-09-14.
  7. ↑ "Congressman goes to school". The Hickory Daily Record. 2006-08-12. Retrieved 2007-09-14.
  8. ↑ "Education : McHenry's Hosts Outdoor Town Hall Picnic for Homeschool Families". The Lincoln Tribune. 2006-08-03. Retrieved 2007-09-14.
  9. ↑ "Responding to Current Legislative Challenges Promoted by National Organizations". Home Education Magazine. July 1998. Archived from the original on 2007-07-02. Retrieved 2007-09-14.
  10. 1 2 "H.R. 612 - Family Education Freedom Act of 2003". Home School Legal Defense Association. 2003-06-16. Retrieved 2007-09-13.
  11. ↑ "Minnesota Libertarians announce "evolutionary" legislative agenda". Libertarian Party. March 1999. Archived from the original on 2007-07-13. Retrieved 2007-09-14.
  12. ↑ "Home Schooling". Ron Paul presidential campaign. 2007. Retrieved 2007-09-14.
  13. ↑ "107th CONGRESS". Orator.com. Archived from the original on 2007-11-01. Retrieved 2007-09-14.
  14. ↑ Family Education Freedom Act of 2005
  15. 1 2 "Education Tax Credits". Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA). Retrieved 2007-09-14.
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