CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) — Nevada senators have approved a bill that would allow students to use the state funds designated for their public education at a private school.
Senators voted to approve SB302 on an 11-8 vote on Wednesday, and the measure now moves to the Assembly.
The bill is sponsored by Republican Sen. Scott Hammond and would allow students a grant equal to 90 percent of their per-pupil state funding allotment. Students could use the state money deposited in the education savings account for tuition, textbooks and tutoring.
Democrats railed against the measure and said it would take millions of dollars out of public schools at a critical time.
Republicans said it would give parents with children in failing schools the financial ability to move to a better school.