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7/14/09 - ARIZONA GOVERNOR SIGNS LAWS TO STRENGTHEN TWO SCHOOL CHOICE PROGRAMS

07/14/2009

(Washington, D.C., July 14, 2009)—School choice initiatives that benefit Arizona’s children and taxpayers were strengthened last night, when Gov. Jan Brewer signed legislation to improve two scholarship tax credit programs.

Brewer signed legislation that eliminated the “sunset” provision on the state’s Corporate School Tuition Organization Tax Credit. Enacted in 2006, this program allows corporations to receive tax credits for donating to nonprofits that offer scholarships so that low-income children can attend private schools.

The legislation also expanded the base of businesses that can contribute to the program by adding insurance companies—which pay premium taxes, not income taxes. This year, nearly 2,000 children benefit from the program.

In signing another bill, Brewer allowed individuals to make paycheck contributions to School Tuition Organizations on a weekly or monthly basis—instead of in just one sum of $500. This legislation—which provides more efficient access to education donations for Arizona’s taxpayers—will likely expand the number of donors to the program. The program benefits more than 27,000 children this year.

“In just her first year, Governor Brewer has proven effective at working to protect, strengthen and expand school choice programs,” said John Schilling, interim president of the national nonprofit Alliance for School Choice. “We salute Governor Brewer, the legislature, and school choice allies in Arizona for keeping the interests of students at heart. These program changes directly benefit children and taxpayers, and they indicate strong momentum for education reformers.”

In total, there are 18 school choice programs operating in 11 states and the District of Columbia, serving 171,000 children.

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The Alliance for School Choice is a national leader in promoting school vouchers and scholarship tax credit programs. For more information, visit www.AllianceforSchoolChoice.org.