Palmetto Kids FIRST Scholarship Program

04/08/2023

We are wishing you all the love and happiness that only Easter can bring. Have a joyous celebration with your family!

02/07/2023

“My approach avoids that problem because the $100 million in the first year of the PACE program doesn’t rely upon money coming out of the general fund,” Davis said. “It allows for the creation of so-called scholarship funding organizations. These are private organizations and groups that would solicit donations from big corporations. The pitch would be, ‘Hey, if you give money for these special needs scholarships or exceptional needs scholarships or whatever it is, you get to write that off your state taxes dollar for dollar. So, it doesn’t cost you anything.’”

Will the House follow suit?

01/31/2023

The “School Choice” Money!!! ESA Vote Today - This legislative corruption is pervasive in South Carolina “politics” … and MUST STOP!!!

Today we are expecting a VOTE on the ESA

01/21/2023

SC GOP lawmakers take first steps toward market-driven academic system pushing significant expansion of fledgling school choice program with an amended bill poised to clear the GOP controlled chamber next week.

https://www.fitsnews.com/2023/01/20/school-choice-on-the-cusp-in-south-carolina-senate/

GOP lawmakers take first steps toward a more market-driven academic system ...

01/20/2023

Say what??? What happened in that "recess"??? We don't know ... but ultimately Senators have committed to passing the $100 Million PACE Scholarship Amendment next TUESDAY.

At mySCGOP. com we are about EDUCATION. Education about how to get involved with the mechanics of the bi-annual Precinct ReOrg

01/03/2023

We have updated the PACE vs. ESA Comparison Chart for this years bills. Like last year, HANDS DOWN the PACE Scholarship Bill wins!!!

Any questions / edits on the comparison chart, let us know at [email protected].

01/01/2023

Happy New Year to all!

May the 2023 New Year bring joy, peace, and happiness to you and your entire family.

12/25/2022

From our family to yours, we hope you all have a wonderful Christmas with the kids and family💙⭐️🎄

Merry Christmas 2022!!!

12/19/2022

Well, the P.A.C.E. Scholarship Bill have been pre-filed now in both the SC Senate & SC House.

What is next? And we know this is "old", but time to call your legislator and ask them to co-sponsor the bill. OR more importantly get the bill a COMMITTEE HEARING!!!

This year will be particularly interesting. School Choice is a huge issue ... yes, the $$$$ is still apparently pushing the ESA 100% government run agenda, but there are a TON of people that now know the PACE vs. ESA situation it is going to be hard to ignore ... especially with another ESA being found UNCONSTITUTIONAL the same day PACE was filed here in South Carolina.

We also have more people and organizations reaching out to us than ever on PACE and wanting to support it.

Call your legislator and see where they stand ... this year ... and let us know what they say. The PACE Scholarship Bill will be a LITMUS TEST for Republicans ... and those that choose the ESA are not going to be on the good side.

https://www.scstatehouse.gov/legislatorssearch.php

This year they must PICK ... ESA or PACE ... not both as an "excuse" to confuse parents.

11/24/2022

From our family to yours - Happy Thanksgiving 🇺🇸🧡🇺🇸

11/20/2022

SC HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP push ESAs AGAIN!

Seriously, will House Leadership ever learn?? It is never a surprise, always a battle with these people, and once again they are going to try to ramrod ESAs down everyone's throat.

Well, the difference today is SCHOOL CHOICE is top of mind now that Ellen Weaver has been elected to be Superintendent of Education. We have been talking with A LOT of people about the difference in the ESA and P.A.C.E. ... and frankly NO ONE gets why the "Republicans" would want 100% Government Control.

It is going to be interesting this coming legislative session. No one wants 100% Government Control of the purse strings of our private schools.

11/17/2022

2023 P.A.C.E. Scholarship Bill Modifications: We previously reported one modification, but after speaking with advocates across SC we expect a second adjustment to the 2023 P.A.C.E. Scholarship Bill that we think you will like.

Modification #1: As previously reported, we will limit the size of the Non-Profit Scholarship Funding Organizations (SFOs) to no larger than 10% of the entire program. That ends the "rumor" spread by the opposition that Palmetto Kid FIRST wants to control the entire program. That is silly, but that was the rumor legislators like House Rep. Jason Elliot (R - Greenville) were spreading to create some sort of fear. Know that PKF wants a robust SFO network with A LOT of advocates and non-profit SFOs out there pushing for the program. Why would we want all the "heat" by being the only or biggest SFO??? lol [INTERESTED IN STARTING ONE OF THESE SFOs? CONTACT US, WE WILL HELP YOU.]

Modification #2: Raise the income qualifications for the $25 Million Disadvantaged Bucket from 185% of poverty to 400% of poverty. Advocates across the state felt like 185% (a number used in the past with other low income programs) was to low at this time due to inflation and other factors out there in the economy. We think that is a good and timely adjustment and we are excited to support it.

TRAINING EVENTS: Now that we are past the elections, it is all about spreading the good word about P.A.C.E. and getting people involved in the process. That includes the 2023 ReOrg Process. We will need your help!!!

We have a training event scheduled this week. It's going to be fun!!!