April 29, 2002

Bush's budget includes educational vouchers
___WASHINGTON (ABP)--President Bush's proposed budget for fiscal year 2003 contains a tax-credit provision that some critics term a "back-door" approach to tuition vouchers for private schools.
___The concept of the government providing tax dollars to pay for tuition at private and parochial schools was a prominent feature in a Bush-proposed education bill last year. Congress removed the voucher proposal before passing the bill, however, because it was so controversial.
___Opponents to school vouchers say they hurt public schools and that government funds going to parochial schools violates the separation of church and state.
___Bush's new proposal would set up an "alternative to failing school" tax credit for families in certain public school districts who choose to send their children to private schools. The credit would reimburse parents for tuition and other educational expenses up to $2,500.
___The estimated cost of the tax-credit and voucher-demonstration projects would approach $4 billion over the next five years.
___Congress will address the proposals later this year.

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