Education — Tuition tax credits

Year six of the tuition tax credits/voucher battle is about to begin — with a likely twist.

Rep. Brad Dee, R-Washington Terrace, is drafting a bill offering government vouchers for private school tuition. It also may offer more money for public school teacher pay. Voucher money would come from general — not school — funds. School districts would still get state money for voucher students. Unused voucher money would go into the schools' pot.

Rep. Stuart Adams, R-Layton, says he's likely to co-sponsor the bill.

How much the bill would cost and how it would play out are uncertain.

Past approaches sought to save the state education costs by giving a tax credit worth less than what is spent per student, with more money going to the poor.

"I'm after giving choice and providing some help to education, but I do believe there will be some state savings," said Dee, who is drafting the bill with input from education leaders, who have long opposed the concept, and voucher advocates, who want a robust voucher to ensure greater participation.

Meanwhile, the Florida Supreme Court ruled a voucher program there violates the Florida Constitution. Opponents including State Board of Education Chairman Kim Burningham believe the ruling has major implications here; Parents For Choice in Education disagrees.