Bills over the years have passed committees, and once, the Utah Senate, but never the House. Last year, a bill sponsored by Rep. Jim Ferrin, R-Orem, failed in that chamber by just four votes. It mostly was held up by Democrats and moderate Republicans, whose party supports such school choice measures.

But is the political landscape shifting?

Parents for Choice in Education is a group that has long lobbied for vouchers and tuition tax credits. Last month, they sent three state education chiefs and six legislators to examine the Milwaukee voucher program they tout.

Attending Sen. Gregory Bell, R-Fruit Heights, has favored the concept, Parents for Choice executive director Elisa Clements Peterson said. So have Reps. Stuart Adams, R-Layton, and Greg Hughes, R-Draper, who praised the Milwaukee program as "rubber-hit-the-road reform you can see."

But also on the trip were Reps. Lorie Fowlke, R-Orem; Kerry Gibson, R-Ogden; and Gregg Buxton, R-Roy, who voted against tuition tax credits last session.

"They've expressed an interest in learning more," Peterson said. "That's why we invited them on the trip."

The trio said they returned more informed on how vouchers work. But they're reserving judgment on the concept until a bill is before them.

"My promise to my constituents is, I would vote for a school choice bill that would not harm public education," Fowlke said. "If they would make changes in the bill (seen last year), I might be more willing to consider it."

She likes the idea of keeping voucher or tuition tax credit savings in school districts, as Dee is examining.

Other bills could be in the offing.

Rep. Stuart Adams, R-Layton, confirms he is "looking at the possibility."

A group of legislators who "historically have been opposed to the tuition tax credits idea" approached House Speaker Greg Curtis about the issue, the Sandy Republican said. He said the group told him "we think they might pass in the House, and so we would like to help try and shape those, so if it's going to pass, it's in the best form they felt was possible."

Allen is among those expressing interest, however tepid.

"Believe you me, I haven't filed a bill. Lots of legislators discuss lots of things, and not all of them come to fruition," Allen said.

Asked whether she is changing her stance opposing tuition tax credits, Allen said, "No, not yet."

"I don't think any legislator has to explain asking questions. That's what we're elected to do — even my dear education friends understand that," she said.

State Board of Education chairman Kim Burningham, who visited Milwaukee with Parents for Choice and remains opposed to such measures, understands.

"She is opposed, but like me," he said of Allen. "I will do all I can to defeat (tuition tax credits) . . . but that doesn't mean you don't observe what would be better than terrible."

Rusk says Allen has been "under intense pressure . . . from within her party" to change her position on the controversial concept.

"I believe that Sheryl Allen is a statesman in that she is trying to look at situations, saying, 'We are spending an inordinate amount of time on this. . . . If we do this little piece of it, can we get on with it?' " Rusk said.

But Parents for Choice in Education smiles upon Allen's investigation — even though it wouldn't support the kind of bill she indicates.

"It's an excellent sign that one of the ardent opponents of school choice is actually considering sponsoring a bill," Peterson said. "It shows how far the school choice movement has come in Utah."

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E-mail: jtcook@desnews.com