Vote could come today on school voucher plan

Written by DEANNA MARTIN, Associated Press

INDIANAPOLIS — A contentious proposal to use taxpayer money to help Indiana parents send their children to private schools could clear its first legislative hurdle on Wednesday.

The House Education Committee is scheduled to continue debating the bill Wednesday after hearing more than four hours of comments about the proposal Tuesday. The voucher bill is a priority for Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels, and the bill is expected to clear the Republican-controlled committee.

Supporters say vouchers allow low- and middle-income families to have the same educational options as wealthier Hoosiers. But critics say vouchers siphon money away from public schools.

Under the proposal, families of four making up to $81,000 a year could receive some form of scholarship to a private school through the voucher program.