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For a state with many children and not enough money to educate them properly, Utah’s educators do a remarkable job. Indeed, the public schools deserve plaudits and accolades and heaps of praise.
That’s one reason it’s so hard for many Utahns to support something mainstream educators so adamantly oppose.
We speak of tuition tax credits!
In coming days, Utah lawmakers will once again consider legislation to provide tax breaks for individuals or organizations that help pay the tuition costs of students who choose to attend private schools.
Based on provisions in Senate Bill 34, the tax credit this year would be $2132.
Since the proposed tax credit is significantly less than the state’s cost of educating a student, proponents say more money would actually be available for each remaining student in the public school system. Furthermore, additional private schools would spring up, thus reducing the amount taxpayers will have to invest in new and remodeled buildings.
Such claims are impressive but need to be proven. If they can, tuition tax credits would be a viable addition to Utah’s overall program for educating her children. But, KSL believes the state should go that direction only if it can be done without undermining the financial stability of the vital public school system.
