Agudath Israel of America celebrates the passage of Missouri Senate Bill 727, a legislative victory that expands educational opportunities for families across the state. The bill, which expands the state’s school choice program, is a significant step forward in empowering students and ensuring access to quality education for all Missouri children.

SB727 received 82 votes in the Missouri House of Representatives, the exact number of votes needed for the law to pass. The bill significantly expands the current MO Scholars Scholarship tax credit program in several ways including substantially expanding income eligibility, increasing the overall tax credit cap to $75 million, making the tax credit refundable, and increasing the maximum scholarship amounts for lower income students and those with special needs. One very impactful change makes all siblings of scholarship students eligible and prioritizes them over other new students. Previously, the program limited eligibility to students entering Kindergarten or 1st grade, students transferring from a public school, and students with special needs.

Rabbi Shlomo Soroka, Director of Government Affairs, Agudath Israel of Illinois, who has led Agudath Israel’s advocacy efforts in Missouri over the past few years remarked, “The passage of SB727 represents a monumental victory for educational freedom and parental choice in Missouri. By expanding the school choice program, Missouri lawmakers have demonstrated their commitment to prioritizing the needs of families and empowering parents to make decisions about their children’s education.”

Rabbi A.D. Motzen, National Director of Government Affairs for Agudath Israel of America, added, “Agudath Israel is a longtime supporter of school choice efforts in Missouri and across the country and welcomes this important expansion. We extend our appreciation to Senate President Pro Temp Caleb Rowden (R-19), Senate Majority Floor Leader Cindy O’Laughlin (R-18), Speaker Dean Plocher (R-89), House Majority Floor Leader Joe Patterson (R-30), and bill sponsors Senator Andrew Koenig (R-15) and Representative Phil Christofanelli (R-104). We also were honored to work with our coalition partners, the Missouri Charter Public School Association, the American Federation for Children, the Opportunity Trust Quality Schools Coalition, and yes. every kid. foundation, and thank them for their dedication to advancing educational choice and opportunity for all.”

“The expansion means that Agudath Israel of Missouri’s Education Assistance Organization will now be able to serve many more students,” said Hillel Anton, director of Agudah’s state-approved scholarship organization. “We encourage all Missouri taxpayers to learn more about the program at AgudahMO.org/eao/ and how they can support scholarships for children at no cost to the donor and receive a dollar-for-dollar state tax credit.