A new, last-minute tax credit voucher bill was introduced in the House Revenue and Taxation Committee Tuesday, sparking intense debate among lawmakers and education advocates.\
Because House Bill 347, introduced by Sen. Ben Adams (R-Nampa), was brought forward on the day committee hearings on legislation were halted for the session, it is unlikely to progress beyond its introduction. Despite this, more than 270 IEA members emailed lawmakers encouraging them to vote against the bill.
The legislation would provide a tax credit for families to pay for private school tuition or to help offset homeschooling expenses worth $1,300 for the first child and $900 for each additional student. The bill would siphon more than $30 million of public funds away from public schools, which already struggle to provide adequate resources to students.