Two legislators who earlier this year voted against tax credits for private school tuition are looking at carrying such bills.
Rep. Brad Dee, R-Washington Terrace, is looking at creating a bill that would direct any state money saved under tuition tax credits to schools or districts. He's also looking at putting the savings toward new and veteran teacher pay raises, possibly limiting credits to one per family, or even seeking a government voucher instead.
"It's a possibility I'll be doing something on tuition tax credits, yes. But I'm trying to do a couple of innovative things for education at the same time," said Dee, who did not support the last bill because it did not route money saved under the program to school districts. "It's really in the infancy now. . . . I want to make sure all players have some input on this."
Rep. Sheryl Allen, R-Bountiful, also confirms she is exploring the possibility of proposing a small tuition tax credit that would be targeted at low-income families. But she said it may never come to fruition.
"I haven't decided yet, and I had only talked about it with one or two people," Allen said. "It's not a serious consideration at this time. But I know the political realities. I know we're going to be back there again. And if we're going to discuss it, shouldn't we be discussing something reasonable?"
Tax credits for private school tuition have been one of the most controversial issues on Capitol Hill the past five years.
Issues surrounding tax credits, and similarly, government vouchers for private schools, are complex.
Backers say the credits, which under last year's bill would have ranged from $500 to $3,000, depending on family income, would help parents seek the education that best fits their children's needs. They also contend tax credits would give parents only part of the money the state spends to educate that student in public schools, leaving a savings that could boost per-pupil spending.
Opponents argue the measures would pull money from an already underfunded public school system, as all income tax revenues are earmarked for education. They call the savings argument specious because the state, which primarily funds education on a per-pupil basis, never gives schools money for students they don't have.
"We do not believe tuition tax credits or vouchers are right for Utah, and we will oppose them should they come to the Legislature," Utah Education Association President Pat Rusk said.
Bills over the years have passed committees, and once, the Utah Senate, but never the House. Last year, a bill sponsored by Rep. Jim Ferrin, R-Orem, failed in that chamber by just four votes. It mostly was held up by Democrats and moderate Republicans, whose party supports such school choice measures.
But is the political landscape shifting?
Parents for Choice in Education is a group that has long lobbied for vouchers and tuition tax credits. Last month, they sent three state education chiefs and six legislators to examine the Milwaukee voucher program they tout.
Attending Sen. Gregory Bell, R-Fruit Heights, has favored the concept, Parents for Choice executive director Elisa Clements Peterson said. So have Reps. Stuart Adams, R-Layton, and Greg Hughes, R-Draper, who praised the Milwaukee program as "rubber-hit-the-road reform you can see."
But also on the trip were Reps. Lorie Fowlke, R-Orem; Kerry Gibson, R-Ogden; and Gregg Buxton, R-Roy, who voted against tuition tax credits last session.
"They've expressed an interest in learning more," Peterson said. "That's why we invited them on the trip."
The trio said they returned more informed on how vouchers work. But they're reserving judgment on the concept until a bill is before them.
"My promise to my constituents is, I would vote for a school choice bill that would not harm public education," Fowlke said. "If they would make changes in the bill (seen last year), I might be more willing to consider it."
She likes the idea of keeping voucher or tuition tax credit savings in school districts, as Dee is examining.
Other bills could be in the offing.
Rep. Stuart Adams, R-Layton, confirms he is "looking at the possibility."
A group of legislators who "historically have been opposed to the tuition tax credits idea" approached House Speaker Greg Curtis about the issue, the Sandy Republican said. He said the group told him "we think they might pass in the House, and so we would like to help try and shape those, so if it's going to pass, it's in the best form they felt was possible."
Allen is among those expressing interest, however tepid.
"Believe you me, I haven't filed a bill. Lots of legislators discuss lots of things, and not all of them come to fruition," Allen said.
Asked whether she is changing her stance opposing tuition tax credits, Allen said, "No, not yet."
"I don't think any legislator has to explain asking questions. That's what we're elected to do — even my dear education friends understand that," she said.
State Board of Education chairman Kim Burningham, who visited Milwaukee with Parents for Choice and remains opposed to such measures, understands.
"She is opposed, but like me," he said of Allen. "I will do all I can to defeat (tuition tax credits) . . . but that doesn't mean you don't observe what would be better than terrible."
Rusk says Allen has been "under intense pressure . . . from within her party" to change her position on the controversial concept.
"I believe that Sheryl Allen is a statesman in that she is trying to look at situations, saying, 'We are spending an inordinate amount of time on this. . . . If we do this little piece of it, can we get on with it?' " Rusk said.
But Parents for Choice in Education smiles upon Allen's investigation — even though it wouldn't support the kind of bill she indicates.
"It's an excellent sign that one of the ardent opponents of school choice is actually considering sponsoring a bill," Peterson said. "It shows how far the school choice movement has come in Utah."
E-mail: jtcook@desnews.com