{"id":1767,"date":"2017-03-17T02:12:48","date_gmt":"2017-03-17T02:12:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/arknews.org\/?p=1767"},"modified":"2017-03-17T02:12:48","modified_gmt":"2017-03-17T02:12:48","slug":"choice-bill-fails-in-the-house","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/arknews.org\/index.php\/2017\/03\/17\/choice-bill-fails-in-the-house\/","title":{"rendered":"Choice bill fails in the House"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Rep. Jim Dotson (R-Bentonville)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A bill that would establish education savings accounts\u00a0to be used at parents' discretion to fund private school and other education costs failed to pass\u00a0in a 35-45 vote in the House Thursday.<\/p>\n

A Senate bill sponsored by\u00a0Sen. Bart Hester (R-Cave Springs) was amended Thursday to replicate the failed House bill.<\/p>\n

Under House Bill 1222 and Senate Bill 746, individuals and corporations who contribute to the education savings accounts, to be managed by nonprofit organizations, would receive an income tax credit equal to 65 percent of their donation. The donation would also qualify for a federal income tax deduction. Parents could use the dollars in the savings accounts for private school fees or home school education. The tax credits, capped at $3 million, would be awarded in the second and subsequent years of the program. The program would sunset after four years.<\/p>\n

\"This bill is about customizing an education opportunity for an individual student,\" Rep. Jim Dotson (R-Bentonville), lead sponsor of\u00a0HB 1222, said.<\/p>\n

Opponents of the bill who spoke on the House floor said not all parents would be allowed such an opportunity.<\/p>\n

\"Not every corner of Arkansas is the same,\" Rep. James Sturch (R-Batesville) said. \"The same opportunities that exist in Northwest Arkansas do not exist in Northeast Arkansas.\"<\/p>\n

Because there are not many private schools in Sturch's district, he said \"many parents will not be able to take advantage of the opportunities promised in this bill simply based on where they live.\"<\/p>\n

Parents could use the money in the education savings account to pay for\u00a0tuition at a private school as well as for other education expenses, including uniforms, books, tutoring services, transportation, examination fees and even college, since a portion of the unused money\u00a0in a savings account would carry over to the next year.<\/p>\n

Rep. Les Warren (R-Hot Springs) echoed Struch's concerns.<\/p>\n

\"I consider this bill to be a discriminatory bill. Public and charter school kids are not eligible for these savings accounts to fund college.\"<\/p>\n