Tax Credit Survives Amendment But House Speaker Says Bill Won’t Become Law This Session

A bill that would grant tax credits to parents whose children do not attend public schools survived an amendment attempt in the House Wednesday.

But House Speaker Michael Simpson said the bill would not become law this session in any event.

Simpson said he has told the bill’s sponsors he doesn’t want to spend several hours debating the measure. Wednesday was the 66th day of the current session and legislative leaders hope to adjourn this weekend or the first of next week.

The House amended the bill to reduce the credit amount from $1,000 to $500 per child and to provide that no family could receive more than $2,500 per year.

Those amendments were approved by the Revenue and Taxation Committee, which produced the bill.

An amendment from Rep. Julie Ellsworth, R-Boise, also was approved to require the credit to expire in three years unless extended.

House members rejected an amendment from Rep. Wendy Jaquet, D-Ketchum, to require those who would receive the credit to meet the same testing standards as students in public schools.

“That population needs to be held accountable just like our students in public schools are,” she said.

Supporters argued it was an attempt to kill the bill.

“That has nothing to do with simple accountability,” said Rep. Mark Stubbs, R-Twin Falls. “The amendments are put on the bill to help kill the bill.”

“The bill deserves its day on the floor, preferably with its guts intact,” said Rep. Lenore Barrett, R-Challis.

Rep. Fred Tilman, R-Boise, contended that if the amendment were approved, it would create differing standards for students in public schools and those who don’t attend public schools. “Attorneys will have a field day. You’re going to have a tremendous bureaucracy to see that this happens.”

More than 70 people gathered on the Statehouse steps Tuesday to urge defeat of the proposal, including educational, civil rights and church representatives. They mentioned the financial impact on public schools, with several speakers saying giving state money to students in parochial schools is simply unconstitutional.