TAX CREDIT FOR PRIVATE SCHOOLS KILLED IN SENATE

Senate Democrats urge funding priorities for public schools

AUGUSTA—Democrats led the fight to defeat a measure that, if passed, would have granted a tax credit for tuition paid to private or religious schools. The Senate voted down LD 1092 “An Act to Allow a Tax Credit for Tuition Paid to Private Schools” in a final vote of 21—14.

“We should not be sending tax payer money to fund private education,” said Assistant Democratic Minority Leader Justin Alfond of Portland. “It’s not sound practice to give public money to schools who have no accountability for their learning results or quality of education.”

LD 1092, sponsored by Senator Garrett Mason of Androscoggin County, if passed, would have given a tax credit up to $2,500 for tuition paid to a private or religious school for pre-kindergarten to grade 12.

“We should do everything we can to fund public education,” said Senator Seth Goodall of Richmond. “Siphoning public money for use by religious and private schools further erodes funding for our public schools.”

This vote reaffirmed the Senate’s earlier vote this month so it will go no further in the legislative process and will be placed in the dead file.