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2019 Session Wrap Up –

The legislative session ended on Saturday, April 27 at 2:25 p.m., but not before legislators passed HF 779, a ways and means tax code update both chambers worked on all session. The bill contained countless tax changes for Iowans, among them being an increase to the Student Tuition Organization (STO) tax credit.

The STO program saves the state money and helps Iowa families make the right choice for their children’s education. During this session, we highlighted the savings to the state and how so many families, who could normally not afford any option other than public school, are able to choose non-public options after receiving an STO tuition grant. Due to our efforts, the STO tax credit cap was increased by two million dollars, from $13 to $15 million. This expansion will allow more Iowa families to receive support from the STO program, and more kids will be able to attend the best school suited to their needs.

Meanwhile, a bill establishing Education Savings Grants (ESGs) (SF372) for all Iowa students was introduced by Senator Jerry Behn and was passed out of the Senate Education Subcommittee on Thursday, February 28.   The bill was heard in the Senate Education Committee on March 6 and was amended to be a special needs ESA.  The bill was passed by the education committee, assigned to the Appropriations committee and assigned to a subcommittee, but no further action was taken. The bill number was revised to SF547 and it will remain alive for the 2020 session.

 

 

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