A bill in Mississippi that aimed to make it easier for K-12 students to transfer to other public schools outside their home districts has died in the House. The Senate leaders said the House legislation did not have enough votes to pass that chamber. The bill, known as “portability,” faced opposition from some lawmakers who were concerned about its impact on school culture and property values, with one lawmaker comparing the opposition to the segregationist movement of the 1960s.
However, supporters of the bill argued that it was a basic school choice measure that would give parents more options for their children’s education. The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Jansen Owen, criticized the opposition, saying that it was rooted in outdated arguments.
The bill’s defeat has led to tensions between Republican House Speaker Jason White and Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann, who oversees the Senate. White has accused the Senate of killing most of the House’s education agenda and criticized their lack of action on important bills.
Despite the setback, some school choice measures, such as increasing tax credits for private schools, remain alive in this session. White has vowed to reintroduce other education measures next year.
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