Dive Brief:
- The Colorado Senate has approved a bill that would allow families with students enrolled in private schools or taught at home to apply for tax credits.
- While the tax credits passed an initial senate vote, they're getting pushback from Democrats who are calling them "back-door vouchers."
- While Democrats argue the funds should rather go toward cash-strapped traditional public schools, Republicans are arguing that the credits won't affect public schools because this will help their enrollment go down.
Dive Insight:
Based on the Republican reasoning that public schools won't need the funds since their enrollment will go down, many would probably conclude that this feels like a method to deconstruct and tear down the traditional public school structure. Wouldn't it make more sense to invest in what already exists?
When Alabama tried to pass a similar bill, it was immediately knocked down by a judge who declared it unconstitutional. He argued that while school choice should be everyone's right, it should not cost the state any money. Don't be surprised if a similar battle plays out in Colorado.
