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Push to expand school voucher program heading to final vote

Posted at 7:02 AM, Feb 27, 2017
and last updated 2017-02-27 09:06:11-05

Parents are keeping a close eye on a bill that is heading to a final vote in the Arizona State Senate. 

The proposed bill would expand school vouchers.

The vast majority of Arizona students attend traditional public schools, but private and charter schools are growing in the state with support from the Republican-controlled Legislature and past and present Republican governors.

The state provides tax credits for donations to groups that pay for private school tuition and has a voucher program giving parents cash to pay tuition and other expenses.

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Essentially, every student could get $5,000 to attend a private school; each taxpayer would foot about the same cost.

The state teacher's union is a group among those who strongly oppose the bill. They say if the state has more money, it should go into fixing public schools first.