Pa. State senators have begun debate on a major bill that would offer taxpayer-funded vouchers to help children attend private or parochial schools.
Gov. Tom Corbett unveiled his school reform agenda in early Oct. with vouchers at the center of a push to expand educational choices for parents and students.
If approved on Wednesday, the bill would head to the state House of Representatives. But Republican House leaders may have their own ideas for a voucher program. And while the bill was written to win Gov. Tom Corbett's support, the Republican governor hasn't endorsed it.
An earlier version with a more expensive and wider-ranging voucher program stalled in the Republican-controlled Senate in the spring.
This bill would make thousands of low-income children in 143 low-performing public schools, primarily in Philadelphia and other cities, eligible for taxpayer help to afford private or parochial
school tuition.
Teachers' unions and the state school boards' association oppose it.
In Pennsylvania, current school year spending was slashed by about $900 million to help avert a state budget deficit. Public schools across the nation are bracing for deeper budget cuts for public schools.
