Mississippi Lawmakers Hear Trump Officials on Universal School Choice

Mississippi lawmakers are actively considering the implementation of universal school choice legislation ahead of the 2026 legislative session, with a newly formed House Select Committee on Education Freedom hearing presentations from Trump administration officials advocating for the policy. The committee, chaired by Rep. Rob Roberson, convened a packed room where experts like Laurie Todd-Smith from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Lindsey Burke from the U.S. Department of Education emphasized the benefits of school choice, including improved public school performance and increased parental control over education. Proponents, including House Speaker Jason White and State Rep. Jansen Owen, argue that expanding school choice will empower families and foster educational improvements, while opponents express concern about potentially undermining Mississippi's recent academic progress known as the 'Mississippi Miracle.' The debate includes discussions of mechanisms such as education savings accounts or vouchers allowing public funds to be used for private education, with some lawmakers suggesting a ballot initiative to let voters decide. Overall, the Trump administration's involvement signals federal support for expanded school choice as a key conservative legislative priority in Mississippi.