For Release: Wednesday, June 18, 1997

Under legislation introduced by US Representative Ron Paul (R-Surfside, Texas), parents would receive up to $3,000 in tax credits per child to cover the costs of education. The Family Education Freedom Act, HR 1816, would equally apply to parents whose children are home-schooled, attend a private or parochial school, or a public school.

"Increasingly, the fundamental right and freedom of parents to educate their children is being usurped by oppressive taxes. This measure guarantees that parents will have control over their children's education," said Paul. "Unlike school vouchers, which increase federal spending and run the risk of having strings attached, this measure reduces a person's tax burden and frees that money for them to spend on their children."

Paul explained that parents would be eligible to receive the tax credit if they send their child to a private school, or join the growing number of families "home-schooling." But it will also allow parents who choose the public school system in their state to qualify for the tax credit by using the $3,000 to purchase educational tools for their children, such as computers, or to fund extracurricular educational opportunities such as music lessons or tutoring.

"The best way to ensure children are getting the kind of education parents demand is to make sure parents have complete control over their education dollar. When parents have the fiscal ability to move their children to the best educational institution around, school personnel will begin to listen to parents rather than the dictates of federal commissions and liberal unions," said Paul. "No nation can remain free when the state has greater influence over the knowledge and values transmitted to children than the family."

Because the legislation deals with tax policy, it has been referred to the Ways and Means Committee, which is chaired by Rep. Bill Archer (R-Texas). After committee approval, the bill will go to the floor for a vote of the House.

"This measure will strengthen the educational system of our nation by liberating parents of all economic backgrounds from a tax system that hurts families trying to provide for their children's future. Once this legislation passes, parents will be able to devote more of their hard-earned income to their children, rather than have it wasted away by the education bureaucracy in Washington."