The bill aims to address that. It would leave per-student spending over and above the amount of the voucher in the school system. So, an estimated average $2,000 voucher still would leave $1,500 in state spending in the school district where the voucher recipient lives for the next five years, unless the student graduates.

Also, the bill seeks $9.2 million in general, not education, funds. The Office of the Legislative Fiscal Analyst says it would put nearly $4 million back into the schools' budget in the first year. The program would require more funding in the coming years.

Pro and con

In Friday's debate, Urquhart noted the state offers other private-school voucher programs, including the Carson Smith Special Needs Scholarships for students with disabilities and another to tutor high school students who repeatedly fail the Utah Basic Skills Competency Test. He also said popular early childhood intervention programs and concurrent enrollment, where high school students earn college credit, essentially are vouchers.

"We deem they're good for the citizens of this state, and they're good for the overall education system," Urquhart said.

So, he and other supporters say, is HB148.

Rep. Kenneth Sumsion, R-American Fork, noted the state has flagged 94 schools for not meeting state academic standards.

"My question would be to my fellow legislators, what about these children?" he said. "What have we done to some of these schools, and are we going to continue to funnel into them children that we don't consider important enough that we're going to put them in a failing school and see if they can succeed?

I propose this bill will give these children an opportunity for an education."

Opponents disagree, saying the state can't afford to fund another education system when the one it has already receives too little.

Rep. Sheryl Allen, R-Bountiful, likened the bill to a financial Cadillac in a state that can only afford a Volkswagen for public schools. She said few programs — save Milwaukee and Cleveland — offer so much money, adding Arizona's voucher tops out at $600.

"I think this is a choice that is not appropriate at this time.... Let's concentrate on our public schools and make them better," she said.

Opponents also decry what they call the bill's loose state accountability requirements and the constitutionality of sending money to religious schools, though supporters say they have no such concerns.