WATCH: DeSantis speaks at Hialeah school before signing school choice bill

(Phil Sears, Copyright 2021 the Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

HIALEAH, Fla. – Gov. Ron DeSantis held a news conference Tuesday morning at St. John the Apostle Catholic School in Hialeah, where he signed the school choice bill passed in the legislature.

Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez and Education Secretary Richard Corcoran were among those in attendance.

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Watch a replay of DeSantis’ remarks before the signing below:

WATCH LIVE: Gov. Ron DeSantis holds news conference at Hialeah school

Posted by WPLG Local 10 on Tuesday, May 11, 2021

Florida’s school voucher program will be significantly expanded after the Republican governor signed the bill to increase eligibility to attend private schools at public expense.

The new law is projected to allow more than 60,000 previously ineligible students to seek vouchers. The cost to the state will be an estimated $200 million.

DeSantis said the expansion will give parents more choices on where to send their children to school.

Democrats criticized it, saying it taxpayer money should be spent on public schools, not private ones.

READ MORE: DeSantis signs new education bill into law during event in Hialeah