{"id":2127,"date":"2017-03-31T22:29:51","date_gmt":"2017-03-31T22:29:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/arknews.org\/?p=2127"},"modified":"2017-03-31T22:29:51","modified_gmt":"2017-03-31T22:29:51","slug":"voucher-like-bill-dies-again-in-house","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/arknews.org\/index.php\/2017\/03\/31\/voucher-like-bill-dies-again-in-house\/","title":{"rendered":"Voucher-like bill dies again in House"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Rep. Jim Dotson<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

For the second time this legislative session, a controversial bill that would establish education savings accounts\u00a0to be used at parents' discretion to fund private school and other education costs failed to pass in the Arkansas House.<\/p>\n

Senate Bill 746 failed by a 43-50 vote Friday. The bill and its predecessor, House Bill 1222, have a long list of opponents.\u00a0The legislation\u00a0was initially opposed by Governor Hutchinson\u00a0because of its potential cost, but he later said he supported it after HB 1222\u00a0was amended to cap the growth of the program. HB 1222 failed in a 37-47 vote in the House earlier this month after passionate testimony from representatives who said the bill would negatively impact public school districts they represent. That same day, SB 746 was amended to mirror the failed legislation and was amended again a few days later in committee to address lawmakers' concerns.<\/p>\n

Under SB 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