A House committee hears bill to create tax credit for kids to go to private schools

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1/31/2012: Radio Story - Senate considers bill to address the issue of unaccredited schools.

2/14/2012: Newspaper Story - Senate committee passed a bill allowing students in failing schools to use a tax credit to go to private schools.

Intro:	House committee hears bill to allow kids from unaccredited school districts to attend non-public schools.
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Wrap: Republican Representative Scott Dieckhaus sponsors a bill proposing a 40 million dollar passport scholarship program pulled out from general revenue.

Dieckhaus told the committee to think of the money as an investment to give high quality education to all kids in the state.

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Description: "I think this provides another means, it opens another door to a different type of system. I think this money goes directly to students and families that are asking for it, that are pleading for it."

He says anyone who contributes to the program will receive a 60 percent credit.

Opponents say it is unnecessary to use public money for private purposes.

The committee chairmans says the committee will vote on the bill later today.

Reporting from the capitol, I'm Crystall Cho.

Intro:	House committee hears bill Tuesday establishing tax credits for students from unaccredited school districts to attend private and parochial schools.
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Wrap: Republican Representative Scott Dieckhaus sponsors a bill aiding kids to receive a high quality education.

Richard Moore from Missouri Chamber of Commerce favored the bill.

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Description: "In regards to the passport scholarship program, we take a position that we have to find a solution to our failing school districts. This is one approach and we hope that this debate occurs in the legislature,and that this problem is solved, and this is one means to accomplish that result."

Opponents say the passport scholarship program requires too much money.

The committee chairman says the committee will vote on the bill later today.

Reporting from the capitol, I'm Crystall Cho.

Intro:	House committee hears a bill aiding kids to receive a private school education.
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Wrap: House Education Committee heard Tuesday to discuss a bill sponsored by Republican Representative Scott Dieckhaus.

The 40 million dollar passport scholarship program sparked debate among opponents.

Mike Lodewegen from School Administrators Coalition strongly opposed to money pulled out from general revenue to support the passport scholarship program.

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Description: "Additionally, I think it's imperative to understand that the Straight Foundation formally currently is underfunded, and so any increase, potential increase of revenue would not benefit the general revenue fund."

Proponents say money should not be an issue to raise kids to receive high quality education.

The committee chairman says the committee will vote later today.

Reporting from the capitol, I'm Crystall Cho.