COLUMBIA, S.C -- A bill that uses taxpayer money to help South Carolina parents send their children to private schools has advanced, even though a legislative panel voted against it.
Senate subcommitte members knocking numbers Wednesday.
They hoped to find out if senate bill 520 also known as the educational opportunity act could move forward.
"In the name of choice, we're forcing school districts to do something they may not want to," said Senator Larry Grooms
The bill was introduced to the Senate in March, but questions about the state's fiscal impact kept it from making progress.
"I do think that some districts are moving at a quicker pace than others. Maybe a bill like this will open up these types of opportunities in the other 45 counties," said Senator Joel Lourie.
The bill would allow parents to use a tax credit to send their children to public or private schools.
The Senate subcommitte voted 6 to 4 to send the bill to the full committee with an unfavorable report.
The move came after an attempt to delay the bill failed
Advocates say the vote shows they're making progress. Similar proposals have died repeatedly in the Legislature.
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forWACH