No automatic review for tax credit study

A Utah State University study on tuition tax credits will not be automatically subjected to an outside review when it comes out in November.

The Legislature last session set aside $150,000 for an unbiased study on potential effects of tuition tax credits. They hope the study will inspire informed debate on the politically hot issue that pits public schools against advocates for expanded school choice.

The Legislative Management Committee, made up of leaders of both parties, hired professors from Utah State University and Southern Utah University to conduct the research.

The SUU professor, however, was excused from the project after lawmakers discovered he had publicly come out in favor of tuition tax credits.

Since, a lawmaker has requested the USU team's recommendations go before the Utah Foundation or other reputable research group once they're made available, said House Speaker Marty Stephens, R-Farr West.

But Stephens said that could happen only if leaders detect a bias.

"We will have just spent (money) to have a group review and study this issue, then we're going to spend $5,000 for someone to second guess them?" Senate President Al Mansell, R-Sandy, said at an interim meeting last week.