The Alabama Legislature has passed a school flexibility bill that was expanded by Republicans to include tax credits for parents who move their children from failing public schools to private schools.
The revised version of the bill got passed by the House 51-26 Thursday night and then 22-11 by the Senate after a long shouting match. The bill now goes to the governor, who says he will sign it.
State school Superintendent Tommy Bice dropped his support for the bill. He said what started out as a good bill will now have a negative impact on public schools.
A Republican-dominated conference committee expanded the bill Thursday afternoon to provide tax credits for parents who move their children from a failing public school to a non-failing public school or private school.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.