HB 279 passed out of the House and is being heard in the House Appropriations committee RIGHT NOW. The Governor's office is here in support of the bill.
Under current law, Montanans can receive up to $150 of their MT tax obligation forgiven for contributions to Student Scholarship Organizations (SSO's). SSO's fund tuition to private (primarily religious) K-12 schools. SB 279 increases the allowable tax credit to $200,000, costing the state nearly $25 million in revenue over the next two biennia. You can find the fiscal note here.
HB 279's fiscal note shows it will cost the state $25 million over the next four years--money that should be used to fund public education. HB 279 will force schools to choose between raising local property taxes and cutting programs (fixed costs don't go down when a handful of students leave for private schools).
Two-thirds of private schools are in the seven (7) largest counties, so this tax credit bill leaves rural students out.
HB 279 creates a private school voucher system (a policy that Montanans oppose).
HB 279 raises the allowable tax credit for donations to private and for-profit schools from $150 to $200,000 (a 133,333% increase). Corporations are also entitled to the tax credit.
HB 279 reduces our general fund, thereby reducing the funds available for not just our public schools but all public works such as public roads, and public water systems, and public safety to name a few.
Here is the MFPE one-pager on all of the school privatization bills.
Have you called your Representative yet?
Under current law, Montanans can receive up to $150 of their MT tax obligation forgiven for contributions to Student Scholarship Organizations (SSO's). SSO's fund tuition to private (primarily religious) K-12 schools. SB 279 increases the allowable tax credit to $200,000, costing the state nearly $25 million in revenue over the next two biennia. You can find the fiscal note here.
HB 279's fiscal note shows it will cost the state $25 million over the next four years--money that should be used to fund public education. HB 279 will force schools to choose between raising local property taxes and cutting programs (fixed costs don't go down when a handful of students leave for private schools).
Two-thirds of private schools are in the seven (7) largest counties, so this tax credit bill leaves rural students out.
HB 279 creates a private school voucher system (a policy that Montanans oppose).
HB 279 raises the allowable tax credit for donations to private and for-profit schools from $150 to $200,000 (a 133,333% increase). Corporations are also entitled to the tax credit.
HB 279 reduces our general fund, thereby reducing the funds available for not just our public schools but all public works such as public roads, and public water systems, and public safety to name a few.
Here is the MFPE one-pager on all of the school privatization bills.
Have you called your Representative yet?
