Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. has signed historic legislation: As of February 12, every family in The Beehive State can choose the school that best fits their child’s needs. “Now every child in the state, regardless of income, has the opportunity to attend a good school. Utah will be the first state in which truly no child will be left behind,” said Clint Bolick, president and general counsel of the Alliance for School Choice.

An Institute for Justice (IJ) media release notes, “The ‘Parent Choice in Education Act’ provides scholarships ranging from $500 to $3,000, based on family income, for parents to use at any eligible private school. All current public school children are eligible, as well as children in private school whose families qualify for the federal free and reduced price lunch program.” IJ will defend this seemingly obvious right that has been legally road-blocked to the detriment of an educated citizenry.

Utah’s choice program is a tribute to Milton Friedman, recognized as the father of the school voucher movement for his 1955 essay on the topic, “The Role of Government in Education.” On February 2, the Utah House passed the choice bill, which grew from the seed of Friedman’s ideas. Patrick Byrne, president and CEO of Utah-based Overstock.com and Friedman Foundation board member, then commented, "This is the biggest step that has been taken toward achieving Milton Friedman’s dream of liberating children so they can reach their full potential.”