by David Safier
From the Democratic Caucus, AZ House of Representatives:
Task force on private school tax credit program to hold first meeting
STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX – The Bipartisan Task Force on the Private School Tuition Tax Credits program will hold its first meeting this month to look at the program’s problems and reported violations.
First Meeting of Bipartisan Task Force on the Private School Tuition Tax Credits program
When: Monday, Sept. 21 at 10 a.m.
Where: State Capitol, House Hearing Room 3
*Task force members will hear from experts on School Tuition Organizations. At a future meeting, the public will have an opportunity to raise concerns and ideas with the task force.
“Democrats and Republicans must work together to ensure this program is effective for Arizona’s school children and that it’s not violating state and federal laws in the future,” said Rep. David Schapira, D-Tempe (District 17), the task force’s chair. “Too many questions and concerns have been raised about this program and its reported violations of various laws. We need to take a clear look at it to build education for a stronger Arizona.”
House Democrats announced the creation of the task force last month specifically to address the state’s Private School Tuition Tax Credits program problems and work on bipartisan legislation to reform it.
Both the Arizona Republic’s investigation and the East Valley Tribune’s investigative series detailed the potentially huge problems and reported illegal activities that come from this tax credit program.
The program allows taxpayers to donate money to school tuition organizations, or nonprofit charities. These STOs then give scholarships to children for private school tuition. In return, the state matches the donations with a tax credit in exchange for their contribution.
The program was signed into law in 1997 by former Gov. Fife Symington and was supposed to make private education more accessible to families who can't afford it. But so far, that hasn't happened.
For instance, according to the Tribune, some STOs reportedly are violating federal tax laws that govern charitable organizations by operating with donations earmarked for particular individuals. They also reportedly are violating state law by not committing a sufficient portion of the donations to students while buying luxury items.
Both newspapers' investigative reports can be accessed online at www.eastvalleytribune.com and www.azcentral.com.
“The task force will be essential to address this problem and correct it,” said Rep. Nancy Young Wright, D-Tucson (District 26). “Arizonans have seen this go on for far too long and it's time to make sure this program is successful.”
In addition to Schapira and Chabin, members of the task force include:
House Democratic Whip Chad Campbell
Rep. Nancy Young Wright, D-Tucson (District 26)
Rep. Cloves Campbell, D-Phoenix (District 16)
Rep. Rich Crandall, R-Mesa (District 19)
Rep. Doris Goodale, R-Kingman (District 3)
Rep. Steve Court, R-Mesa (District 18)
STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX – The Bipartisan Task Force on the Private School Tuition Tax Credits program will hold its first meeting this month to look at the program’s problems and reported violations.
First Meeting of Bipartisan Task Force on the Private School Tuition Tax Credits program
When: Monday, Sept. 21 at 10 a.m.
Where: State Capitol, House Hearing Room 3
*Task force members will hear from experts on School Tuition Organizations. At a future meeting, the public will have an opportunity to raise concerns and ideas with the task force.
“Democrats and Republicans must work together to ensure this program is effective for Arizona’s school children and that it’s not violating state and federal laws in the future,” said Rep. David Schapira, D-Tempe (District 17), the task force’s chair. “Too many questions and concerns have been raised about this program and its reported violations of various laws. We need to take a clear look at it to build education for a stronger Arizona.”
House Democrats announced the creation of the task force last month specifically to address the state’s Private School Tuition Tax Credits program problems and work on bipartisan legislation to reform it.
Both the Arizona Republic’s investigation and the East Valley Tribune’s investigative series detailed the potentially huge problems and reported illegal activities that come from this tax credit program.
The program allows taxpayers to donate money to school tuition organizations, or nonprofit charities. These STOs then give scholarships to children for private school tuition. In return, the state matches the donations with a tax credit in exchange for their contribution.
The program was signed into law in 1997 by former Gov. Fife Symington and was supposed to make private education more accessible to families who can't afford it. But so far, that hasn't happened.
For instance, according to the Tribune, some STOs reportedly are violating federal tax laws that govern charitable organizations by operating with donations earmarked for particular individuals. They also reportedly are violating state law by not committing a sufficient portion of the donations to students while buying luxury items.
Both newspapers' investigative reports can be accessed online at www.eastvalleytribune.com and www.azcentral.com.
“The task force will be essential to address this problem and correct it,” said Rep. Nancy Young Wright, D-Tucson (District 26). “Arizonans have seen this go on for far too long and it's time to make sure this program is successful.”
In addition to Schapira and Chabin, members of the task force include:
House Democratic Whip Chad Campbell
Rep. Nancy Young Wright, D-Tucson (District 26)
Rep. Cloves Campbell, D-Phoenix (District 16)
Rep. Rich Crandall, R-Mesa (District 19)
Rep. Doris Goodale, R-Kingman (District 3)
Rep. Steve Court, R-Mesa (District 18)
Discover more from Blog for Arizona
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.