State legislative leaders kicked off the 2026 session this week, tackling major issues such as school choice, ballot initiatives, and mobile sports betting in a series of high-profile interviews and bill introductions.
On the second day of the session, the school choice legislation—filed as House Bill 2—was introduced by House Speaker Nathan Parker during a sit-down with local news anchor David Reed. The bill, which has drawn both anticipation and skepticism, aims to expand educational options for families across the state.
Parker acknowledged that some lawmakers had withheld judgment until the bill’s details were made public. “I appreciate those who reserved their opinions until they saw the actual language,” Parker said. “It’s been interesting to watch some groups oppose the proposal before even reading it.”
He pointed out that neighboring states have implemented similar programs. “We have the advantage of learning from their successes and avoiding their mistakes. This education reform bill has a lot of moving parts, but the most talked-about component is the ‘choice’ provision—allowing state education funding to follow students from public to private schools,” Parker explained.
According to Parker, the state funds that would follow a student are based on a per-pupil formula. “Last year, that figure was around $6,700 per student. This year, it’s expected to increase to about $6,930. That’s the amount that could transfer with a student moving from a public to a private institution,” he said. He clarified that only the state’s share of funding would be portable.
The bill also addresses transfers between public schools—referred to as “portability”—with the state funding following the student to their new public school as well.
Parker highlighted that in coastal regions of the state, existing policies already support student transfers between public schools. “Those districts have set a positive example, but not all areas of our state are as fortunate,” he said.
When asked why residents in high-performing districts should back the bill, Parker responded, “Because what benefits the state as a whole ultimately benefits every region, including the coast. There’s room for a sensible, conservative approach to school choice that preserves our progress while giving parents more options.”
Turning to the issue of ballot initiatives, Parker noted that it has been several years since the state allowed citizens to propose laws or constitutional amendments via petition. “The House has approved multiple versions of a ballot initiative bill, but none have cleared the Senate,” he said. Parker indicated the House remains open to compromise on requirements such as signature thresholds. “People feel like a fundamental right has been taken away, even if they never use it. There’s consensus that we should restore the process, but it’s a question of political will.”
Mobile sports betting also remains a contentious topic. While the House has passed bills to legalize mobile wagering in previous sessions, the Senate has not acted. Parker believes momentum is shifting. “It’s become clear how much illegal betting is happening online, and how easily people access out-of-state platforms,” he observed. “Our own licensed operators run mobile sports books in other states, so they’re familiar with the process and largely supportive of regulation here.”
Parker argued that legalizing mobile sports betting could generate significant revenue for the state, which could be dedicated to pressing needs such as the public employees’ retirement fund or infrastructure. “As we consider tax cuts and look for new revenue, it’s clear we’re leaving money on the table by not regulating something that’s already happening,” he said.
Parker expressed confidence that the House would pass a robust mobile sports betting bill this session. “If it reaches the Senate, I believe it will finally receive broad support,” he concluded.
