Key+Senator+Says+Education+Tax+Credit+Bill+DOA+in+Senate

= By **Brad Bumsted** = =// Published by the Pittsburgh TRIBUNE-REVIEW //= =// 5/10/11 //= = = = = =HARRISBURG — The sponsor of the Senate bill to provide school choice through tuition vouchers said today that an alternative tax credit proposal the House is set to approve is "dead on arrival" in his chamber.= =Those words come from Senate Education Chairman Jeffrey Piccola, R-Dauphin County, whose committee would consider the education tax credit expansion the House is likely to approve, according to Piccola's spokeswoman Colleen Greer.= =The Senate has yet to round up the votes for Piccola's S.B. 1, but he and Sen. Anthony Williams, D-Philadelpha, the co-sponsor, are driving hard for a vote.= =House members leery of vouchers, taxpayer-funded documents students could use to attend private or parochial school, are considering legislation by Rep. Thomas Quigley, R-Montgomery County, to expand the 2001 Educational Improvement Tax Credit program.= =That program gives state tax credits to businesses that contribute to nonprofit groups, which award scholarships for school choice.= =Under the House bill, the $60 million available for tax credits would increase to $100 million next year and $200 million in 2012-13. Income eligibility limits for a family of four would increase from $50,000 to $60,000 next year and to $75,000 after June 30, 2012.= =Some House members say they favor tax credits over vouchers because it is a proven program.= =Vocher proponents say it is a fundamental change needed to allow students to escape failing schools accomplished by having the "money follow the child." A portion of the state cost per student would be portable under the voucher concept.= = = = Read more: [|Key senator: education tax credit bill 'DOA' in state Senate - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review] [] = = = = =

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