TALLAHASSEE - More than 2,800 supporters of the Corporate Tax Credit Scholarship Program (CTC) marched through downtown Tallahassee, to the Capitol steps to support educational opportunities for Florida's low-income families.
The Corporate Tax Credit Scholarship Program - otherwise known as �Step Up for Students� - provides scholarships to qualifying low-income students for use at public or private schools.
Teachers, parents, students and community leaders attending the rally drove from as far away as Miami to ensure their voices were heard by politicians campaigning in Florida primaries, as well as elected officials enjoying their second week of session.
The thousands of marchers are representative of millions of Floridians who believe that school choice - in public and private schools � is a necessary educational option for low-income families.
Governor Jeb Bush was the keynote speaker at the March 9 rally and offered his continual support for the largest corporate tax credit scholarship program in the United States.
Students from Miami Christian Academy had the honor of presenting Governor Bush with an oversized check for $58 million - the amount of money the CTC program has saved Florida taxpayers since the program's inception two years ago.
The Corporate Tax Credit Scholarship program is an educational plan designed to help low-income families in Florida obtain the best education for their children.
Under this program, corporations that owe Florida corporate income tax can redirect a portion of their tax obligation to non-profit organizations that award K-12 Scholarships to students qualifying for the federal government's free or reduced lunch program. Parents can use these scholarships to send their child to a public or private school that provides the best learning environment that meets their particular needs. The average household income of recipients is $20,000. The corporation in turn will receive a 100% tax credit for every dollar they donate. By law, 100% of a company's contribution will fund Scholarships - not a single penny can be used for administrative costs.
According to The Collins Center for Public Policy and Florida Tax Watch, the CTC could result in as much as a $600 million increase in the amount of statewide net revenue available for education over the next ten years. To-date, the program has saved Floridians more than $58 million. Step Up For Students continues to grow with 13,000 children being served and another 20,000 on a waiting list.
The Step Up for Students Rally was sponsored by BAEO and the Hispanic Council for Reform and Educational Options.