Narrow win advances tuition tax-credit bill to House floor

A controversial bill offering income tax credits for private school tuition eked out of the House Education Standing Committee by one vote Friday, perhaps foreshadowing the battle yet to come on the House floor.

The Utah House has avoided a floor debate on such measures, including one passed by the Senate, for the past four years.

Both sides are gearing up for the big debate, with eight working days left in the session.

"We're working hard," said Elisa Clements Peterson of Parents for Choice in Education. "There are plenty of votes still in play."

But the Utah Education Association believes supporters don't have the votes needed.

"It's not a done deal on the House floor," UEA President Pat Rusk said. "This is not over."

Second substitute HB39, sponsored by Rep. Jim Ferrin, R-Orem, would provide a tax credit worth $500 to $3,750, with larger credits scaled toward the poor. The credit is open to all public school students and to private school students who qualify for reduced-price school lunch.

Participating private schools would be held publicly accountable through standardized testing and revealing teachers' credentials. New language attempts to prevent home schools from participating.

The bill, co-sponsored by Rep. Steve Mascaro, R-West Jordan, also includes $1.5 million in general funds to compensate school districts hurt by the credits.

Rep. LaVar Christensen, R-Sandy, unsuccessfully attempted to increase that bail-out fund to $10 million, require an audit and eliminate the program if it hurts public schools.

Ferrin said he would examine increased funding.

The idea is to give parents more school choices and divert to private schools some of the 140,000 or so new students expected in the next decade.

"If we can get some of those students to opt to go somewhere else at a lower cost per pupil, then we save some money," Ferrin said.

Taylorsville resident Beatriz Arteaga says the bill will help stretch her income. She already puts $233 a month on a credit card for private school tuition and pays it off with her income tax return.

"It's hard to pay it," Arteaga said. "(But my daughter) is now successful in school."

Other parents, the Utah Taxpayers Association and even former schoolteachers called the bill sound public policy and a state acknowledgement that one size does not fit all kids.

But the Utah PTA, teachers unions, the State Board of Education and others oppose the bill — not to stand against parents but to defend public schools that would suffer.

"This is not a parent choice bill, this is a private school choice bill," said JoAnn Neilson, president of the Utah PTA. "We urge parents to get in and try to change the (public school) system so it can be better for all children."