TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) A bill that would have created a tax break to allow students to attend private or parochial schools has been defeated.
The House voted Monday to block a proposal to provide tax credits for contributions to scholarships for students in 18 struggling public school districts who wanted to attend private or parochial schools.
Supporters argued the bill would give parents in low-performing districts the option of improving their children’s education.
But opponents of the bill said most poor people would not have been able to use the program, in part because the $4,000 scholarships would not cover full tuition at most private schools.
Opponents also said giving tax credits would decrease state revenue that goes to public schools. The potential annual tax loss was estimated at $5 million.
