Update from the S.62 Hearing on January 8th
We’ve seen some questionable hearings, but this one stands out. The Senate SC Education Committee steamrolled S.62 through without committee votes or public input. If that doesn’t set off alarms, it should.
(Read our article to learn more about this goverment school choice bill.)
What S.62 Does:
This bill shifts money from the SC Lottery Fund to create a state-managed scholarship program for private schools. They’re using lottery funds to try to sidestep the constitutional ruling that public money can’t go to private schools. But here’s the catch—they’re not touching existing lottery-funded programs for public colleges and scholarships like LIFE, HOPE, and Palmetto. Instead, they plan to plug that gap using general fund dollars—aka taxpayer money.
Translation? It’s a redistribution of wealth that forces all taxpayers to cover private tuition for a select few.
And yes, it will increase the tax burden of South Carolinans.
Currently the Lottery Fund Pays For:
LIFE, HOPE, and Palmetto Scholarships (for both public and private colleges)
SC Wins (provides scholarships specifically for public technical colleges)
School buses
Need-based scholarships
Public libraries
Once the lottery money gets diverted to private school vouchers, those public services will need to be covered by the general fund. That’s a fiscal impact, no matter how they try to spin it.
Concerns Raised by Legislators
The general fund will have to pick up the slack for programs the lottery currently funds.
What happens when private schools start taking these public dollars but don’t deliver results? There were questions about whether there are meaningful safeguards to ensure the money is well-spent.
The bill phases in eligibility up to 600% of the federal poverty level, making families earning over $180,000 a year eligible for these scholarships. That raises questions about whether this is really about helping low-income families.
Lottery-funded programs like SC Wins are critical for public technical colleges, which play a major role in workforce development. Diverting those funds risks harming these programs.
Once public funds go to private schools, there’s concern that it opens the door to future government regulations, eroding the independence of private education.
The oversight and accountability measures for how these funds will be spent remain unclear. How will the state ensure the money goes where it’s supposed to?
Legislators pointed out that bypassing committee votes and public input undermines the legislative process and shuts out constituents’ voices from the conversation.
There’s skepticism about whether the proposed cost savings are realistic. The state would still need to fund public schools, even as money shifts to private school vouchers.
Why It’s a Big Deal
The Supreme Court already struck down a similar law (S.39) as unconstitutional. Legislators know this. So, why are they rushing S.62 through? They claim it’s the same bill that’s already been discussed. It’s not. S.62 is a brand-new bill. They’re skipping the legislative process because they know it’s controversial.
Here’s what stood out.
No committee vote. (NOT ALLOWED)
No public input.
Rushed to the Senate floor. (Soon after the session begins.)
This isn’t how a constitutional republic works. Bypassing the process shuts out your voice.
And let’s be real—there’s no way this program won’t grow roots of regulation. The state will need oversight to track how these funds are used, which means private schools will eventually face more government control.
If you homeschool, pay attention. Any time public money touches education, government strings follow.
Keep watching this bill. It’s a direct hit to educational freedom and fiscal responsibility—and it’s happening in real time.
Link to hearings.
https://www.scstatehouse.gov/video/archives.php
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not constitute legal or professional advice. ConservaTruth assumes no liability for any actions taken based on this content. Read more.
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