Mississippi Republicans gearing up for another try at passing school choice

Mississippi Republicans are poised to try approving school choice again, as Democrats may have inadvertently poured some fuel on the fire.

House Speaker Jason White “delivered a powerful speech making the case for universal school choice, which may mark a turning point for Mississippi” at the recently concluded Neshoba County Fair, the Mississippi Center for Public Policy reported.

The Republican said to expect a comprehensive bill to expand school choice in 2026, adding that “every child, regardless of their ZIP code, deserves a fair chance to succeed. … Parents know what’s best for their children.”

That prompted the state Democratic Party to issue a statement unwittingly making the case for school choice, not against it. 

In a now-deleted post on X, the party voiced support for Pell Grants and food stamps because they go directly to people instead of giving the money to colleges or grocery stores. 

“There’s a difference between public funds that empower individuals and public dollars handed to private institutions with no oversight,” the post read. “That’s the whole point.” 

But that argument actually advances the case for school choice, since the government gives funds to parents who then choose how to spend them to further their children’s education. 

Leading school choice advocate Corey DeAngelis seized upon the Democrats’ mishap. 

“The Mississippi Democratic Party just accidentally made the case for school choice. Hilarious,” he wrote. 

Gov. Tate Reeves, a Republican, also got in the mix – even hinting he could call a special session this month instead of waiting until next year to pass school choice. 

“So let me get this straight,” Reeves posted. The state Democratic Party “is now on record supporting ‘public funds for empowering individuals,’ which is also known as a simple admission of the merits of more school choice. 

“If we have a special session this month, shouldn’t we expect to get unanimous support in the House and Senate for universal school choice in Mississippi?” 

The Magnolia State failed to pass a bill earlier this year that would have allowed students in struggling schools to transfer to better schools nearby or receive funds to attend a private school, even though the state is solidly Republican. 

After the defeat in committee, Speaker White called school choice inevitable, saying it was a priority for President Donald Trump, who carried Mississippi by a wide margin. A national school choice plan passed in Trump’s sweeping budget bill last month, although states must choose whether to opt in to it. 

Nationally, 35 states and Washington, D.C., have some form of school choice program, and 18 states – including Mississippi neighbors Alabama, Tennessee, Arkansas and Louisiana – offer broad or universal school choice. 

White’s speech at the fair was met with much applause, particularly when he called for parents to be empowered to choose the best education for their children. The governor also spoke, saying he’s fully on board with White’s plan. 

Democrats tried damage control, saying they support options but not money going to private schools that “don’t play by the same rules or report back to the public.” They failed to explain how their support for empowering individuals through Pell Grants and food stamps doesn’t translate to school choice.