"The fact Huntsman is so in favor of the voucher idea (means) he is an attractive investment" for Parents for Choice in Education, Hrebenar said. If elected, "this group has an in. It never hurts these groups to cement the deal."

Tuition tax credits are politically hot. While several bills have failed, a special-education voucher bill passed. But Walker vetoed it, creating a political firestorm contributing to her election bid loss at the GOP convention.

Supporters and critics discussed their stands on tuition tax credits Monday at a Hinckley Institute of Politics forum moderated by the Utah Foundation.

State associate superintendent Ray Timothy noted parents have choices within public schools, be it through charter schools or schools outside their neighborhoods. But he said Utah can't afford a private school tuition tax credit that would take from school coffers.

However, Royce Van Tassell, executive director of Education Excellence Utah, said per-student spending and test scores grow in states allowing such measures. "The discussion isn't about whether choice is a good or bad thing; it's the degree of choice we want to have."

---

E-mail: jtcook@desnews.com