A bill giving tax breaks to parents who send their children to private school or educate them at home has advanced in the Senate.
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- A bill giving tax breaks to parents who send their children to private school or educate them at home has advanced in the Senate.
A Senate Finance subcommittee advanced the measure Wednesday with no recommendation after voting 3-2 against it.
Chairman Wes Hayes says the bill deserves more discussion. The Rock Hill Republican says he didn't want the bill to die in subcommittee.
Sen. Larry Grooms says the bill would give parents more options.
Supporters of the idea of helping parents afford private tuition and homeschooling expenses got their first win on the House floor in March. Similar bills have died repeatedly since 2004.
The bill gives parents who pay tuition upfront a $4,000 tax deduction. Poor and disabled children could get scholarships for up to 75 percent of tuition.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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