COLUMBIA--A bill to provide tax breaks for parents paying private school tuition appears to be dead this year, a day after a study by state economists found the revised proposal would cost the state as much half a billion dollars in tax revenue.

Supporters said the high cost of implementing the Put Parents in Charge Act, a key part of Gov. Mark Sanford's legislative agenda, likely doomed the measure.

The bill won't be taken up in the House until next week, after it was pushed back on its calendar Wednesday.

The move appeared to end any chances of the bill passing this year. Bills that don't pass the House by the end of the week would need a two-thirds vote to be considered in the Senate.

The bill's sponsor, Rep. Doug Smith, R-Spartanburg, said the delay was needed because lawmakers needed time to thoroughly discuss the measure.

It wasn't likely to make it through the Senate this year, because while some senators have talked about introducing legislation, none have done so, Smith said.

"People already know where they are on this bill," said Rep. Shirley Hinson, R-Goose Creek. "Another week is not going to change it."

The legislation now in the House would create a pilot program in two school districts -- a wealthy one and a poor one to be chosen by the state Education Department.

The bill would give tax breaks to parents in those districts whose children transfer from public schools.

 

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LEGISLATIVE REPORT