Charter schools, Education Savings Accounts, and now a tax credit?
Over the past two legislative sessions, Montana lawmakers haven't been shy about expanding education choice options for children. And it seems that momentum is carrying over to this session.
A new bill has been introduced by Representative Greg Overstreeet to provide a tax credit for non-public school education expenses. There's no specific amount, rather the credit would be equal to the nonpublic school education expenses paid by the taxpayer or a state-designated percentage, and it could not exceed a taxpayer's total tax liability.
Last legislative session, lawmakers passed Montana House Bill 393, which allowed parents of a student with a disability the chance to have access to an Education Savings Account or “ESA.” ESA’s are extremely popular with parents and are common in many states around the nation. Polling has shown overwhelming support across party lines and demographics.
The ESA in HB 393 allows parents who choose to sign up to access roughly $6,800 that can be used on education therapies, private school tuition and fees, textbooks, curriculum, tutoring, transportation, and other education-related expenses. It can be a tremendously helpful tool for parents who might not have the resources to help their child. Speech and occupational therapies alone can cost a family thousands of dollars each year – an expense many families cannot afford.
Unions have sued to block implementation of not only the ESA, but Montana's new charter schools as well.