(Columbia) April 18, 2005 - A scaled back
version of a school choice bill pushed by
Governor Mark Sanford is headed to the House
floor.
The House Ways and Means Committee approved
the amended measure Monday.
Under the bill, taxpayers' money would be
given to parents who transfer their children out
of public schools in only two school districts.
The original version would have applied to
districts statewide.
The new version of the bill allows the state
Education Department to choose one wealthy
district and one poor district. The legislation
also limits the amount of money businesses could
give for education scholarships.
The donations would be capped at $10,000.
Critics worried businesses would be able to
write off unlimited amounts on their state
business income tax forms.
Groups on both sides of the proposal
have spent lots of money to sway the
Legislature. Few of the groups, however, will
say how much they've spent or who is providing
them with the money. Some did acknowledged
spending about $800,000 so far on their
efforts.
Democratic Representative Ted Vick of
Chesterfield says lawmakers should know who is
trying to influence them on the issue that could
cost the state millions of
dollars.
Supporters of the proposal say the tax
credits would force failing public schools to
improve. Opponents say the measure would taken
needed dollars away from public
schools.
Posted 9:33am by BrettWitt with
AP
