Agudath Israel celebrates this week’s Missouri court ruling that ensures families can continue to benefit from the state’s scholarship tax credit program.
The Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts (ESA), or “MOScholars” program, was enacted in 2021 after successful advocacy from Agudath Israel and its coalition partners. These K-12 grants are funded through private donations from individuals and corporations to educational assistance organizations (EAOs) which administer the program. Donors can receive a state tax credit worth 100% of their gift.
Recent program expansion has resulted in a 122% increase in the number of qualified students. To meet this significant growth and ensure all eligible children are served, Governor Mike Kehoe authorized an additional $50 million in funding for the program. The teacher’s union and others immediately went to court seeking a temporary restraining order to revoke scholarships from low-income children and students with disabilities, many of whom have already started school using the grants they received. Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey and EdChoice Legal Advocates skillfully defended the program and its students and thankfully, the judge denied the motion and allowed the program to continue while the case works its way through the courts.
As one of the six EAOs certified by the state, Agudath Israel of Missouri has distributed $2.37 million in scholarships since the program’s inception and is set to distribute another $2.5 million this coming year.
“This is wonderful news for parents and children across Missouri,” said Hillel Anton, director of Agudath Israel of Missouri’’s EAO. “These scholarships open doors of opportunity and make quality education and support services possible for so many families.”