“Vouchers often go to families who can already afford private school tuition, leaving the most vulnerable students behind,” Amen said.
Proponents, like Tyler Lindholm of Americans for Prosperity Wyoming, counter that universal access empowers parents to make the best educational choices for their children.
“Every family should have the freedom to decide how their children are educated,” Lindholm said.
The current ESA program underwent significant revisions during the 2024 legislative session, including compromises and a line-item veto by Governor Mark Gordon, who limited eligibility to lower-income families. Advocates for expanded school choice have continued to push for universal access, leading to the introduction of the Freedom Scholarship Act.
More than 30 lawmakers aligned with the Wyoming Freedom Caucus have co-sponsored the bill. Superintendent of Public Instruction Megen Degenfelder has voiced her support for removing income restrictions on ESA eligibility, framing it as a measure to empower parents and uphold Wyoming’s values.
