Panel rejects private school tax credit bill

5:28 PM, Mar 20, 2013   |    comments
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LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - A proposal to offer a 100 percent state tax credit for donations to a scholarship fund for private schools has failed to clear an Arkansas Senate committee.

The Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee on Wednesday rejected the tax credit proposal on a voice vote, with the measure appearing to receive only three "yes" votes and two "no's" from the eight-member panel.

The proposal by Republican Sen. Jane English of North Little Rock would grant taxpayers a credit for contributions to a nonprofit that would award private school scholarships to families making 250 percent or less of the federal poverty level.

The credit would be capped at a total of $10 million a year, a revenue loss that state finance officials said the state couldn't afford.

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