Policy

Crackdown on spending prompts limits to education savings accounts

Supporters of the new restrictions say it safeguards taxpayer dollars.
Park City Ski Resort lines and lifts are shut down due to the strike by the Park City Ski Patrol requesting livable wages in Park City, Utah, Tuesday, Jan 7. 2025. (AP Photo/Melissa Majchrzak)

Lawmakers in Arkansas and Utah this year limited the share of education savings account awards that families can spend on extracurriculars, signaling a willingness among Republican lawmakers to crack down on seemingly frivolous spending by some families. 

Supporters say the changes are an important step to safeguarding taxpayer dollars. But some school choice advocates say lawmakers risk over-regulating programs designed to give parents maximum flexibility. 

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