Pa. Senate begins debate on school vouchers bill

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — State senators have begun debate on a major bill to create more opportunities for Pennsylvania public school children to attend private or parochial schools at taxpayer expense.

If approved Wednesday, the bill would head to the state House of Representatives. But Republican House leaders may have their own ideas for a voucher program. And while the bill was written to win Gov. Tom Corbett’s support, the Republican governor hasn’t endorsed it.

An earlier version with a more expensive and wider-ranging voucher program stalled in the Republican-controlled Senate in the spring.

This bill would make thousands of low-income children in 143 low-performing public schools, primarily in Philadelphia and other cities, eligible for taxpayer help to afford private or parochial school tuition. Teachers’ unions and the state school boards’ association oppose it.