Nevada Governor Includes $60 Million Funding Fix for Education Savings Accounts

Agudath Israel welcomed Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval’s announcement of his commitment of $60 million over two years to fund the state’s Education Savings Account (ESA) program. The program was created in the 2015 legislative session and received close to 9000 applicants, including many students choosing to attend Jewish day schools. However, the state’s Supreme Court found that while the program itself was constitutional, the funding mechanism wasn’t. This funding fix, if passed by the Legislature, would allow the program to proceed. The ESA program requires the state to deposit up to $5,700 each year in a savings account for parents who opt out of a public school education for their child. The funds could then be used for educational expenses such as tutoring, therapies, virtual school fees, and private school tuition.