AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — The Maine House has given preliminary approval to a bill that would provide parents income tax credits for a portion of the tuition paid to private or religious schools.
By a 75-67 vote Tuesday, representatives gave initial approval to a bill that provides a tax credit of up to $1,000.
Supporters say nine other states have such subsidies and seven states are considering them. But opponents pointed to the bill’s $25 million cost in lost revenues and questioned the bill’s constitutionality.
The bill’s prospects for final passage are in question, however, because of its cost and the Senate’s rejection of the proposal.
In a vote on a separate bill, the House rejected a proposal to allow municipalities to give subsidies to reimburse parents for their children’s private school tuition.
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