Politics
Politics

House opposes school voucher bill but it could be a temporary defeat

Rep. Imani Barnes (D-Tucker) and Rep. Ruwa Romman (D-Duluth) cheer after HB 233 fails to pass on Wednesday, March 29, 2023. The bill would send $6,500 a year to parents to help cover education-related costs, including private school tuition. (Natrice Miller/ natrice.miller@ajc.com)

Credit: Natrice Miller/AJC

Credit: Natrice Miller/AJC

Rep. Imani Barnes (D-Tucker) and Rep. Ruwa Romman (D-Duluth) cheer after HB 233 fails to pass on Wednesday, March 29, 2023. The bill would send $6,500 a year to parents to help cover education-related costs, including private school tuition. (Natrice Miller/ natrice.miller@ajc.com)
By Ty Tagami
March 30, 2023

In a dramatic vote, the Georgia House narrowly defeated a school voucher bill that would have offered $6,500 to certain public school students who opted for a private education.

The 89-85 vote against Senate Bill 233 led to cheers on the House floor, mostly among the Democrats who led the charge against it. More than a dozen Republicans broke ranks to oppose the measure, while only one Democrat supported it.

Rep. Imani Barnes (D-Tucker) and Rep. Ruwa Romman (D-Duluth) cheer after Senate Bill 233 fails to pass in the Georgia House on Wednesday, March 29, 2023. The bill would send $6,500 a year to parents to help cover education-related costs, including private school tuition. (Natrice Miller/ natrice.miller@ajc.com)

Credit: Natrice Miller/AJC

icon to expand image

Credit: Natrice Miller/AJC

But Republican proponents swiftly called for a vote to reconsider the measure, which passed 98-73. That means it could come up for a vote later Wednesday or next year.

- LIVE: Watch streams of the Georgia House and Senate

About the Author

Ty Tagami is a staff writer for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Since joining the newspaper in 2002, he has written about everything from hurricanes to homelessness. He has deep experience covering local government and education, and can often be found under the Gold Dome when lawmakers meet or in a school somewhere in the state.

Follow Ty Tagami on facebookFollow Ty Tagami on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

State Election Board Vice Chair Janice Johnston speaks during an election board meeting at the Capitol in Atlanta on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. (Arvin Temkar / AJC)

Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC

Report: Election board member violated conduct code by going to Trump rally

A Georgia Inspector General's report found State Election Board Vice Chair Janice Johnston violated the board's code of conduct by attending a Donald Trump campaign rally.

Georgia investigators ramp up probe into First Liberty collapse

Witnesses are being called in Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger's civil inquiry into the collapse of First Liberty Building & Loan.

OPINION

Red flags piling up for Georgia Republicans heading into 2026 midterms

The warnings are mounting for Georgia Republicans about the danger they'll face in the 2026 midterm elections if the party does not change course.

The Latest

State Election Board Vice Chair Janice Johnston speaks during an election board meeting at the Capitol in Atlanta on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. (Arvin Temkar / AJC)

Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC

Report: Election board member violated conduct code by going to Trump rally

OPINION

Red flags piling up for Georgia Republicans heading into 2026 midterms

Warnock urges Congress to do more to combat America’s affordability crisis

Featured

Students line up after school for school buses at Sequoyah Middle School in Doraville on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. The school’s principal told teachers not to talk to students about ICE, and teachers and activists are pushing back. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com

DeKalb students raise fears about ICE raids; teachers told not to talk about it

The Sequoyah Middle School community asked DeKalb school officials to better support students who fear ICE.

Two-day effort helps free endangered right whale off Georgia coast

Georgia state officials helped disentangle a North American right whale, one of the most endangered whales on the planet.

Report: Election board member violated conduct code by going to Trump rally

A Georgia Inspector General's report found State Election Board Vice Chair Janice Johnston violated the board's code of conduct by attending a Donald Trump campaign rally.