Politics & Government

Rep. Maher Reacts to USC Board's Voucher Opposal

State Rep. John Maher, R-Upper St. Clair, said he also opposes tuition vouchers.

State Rep. John Maher, R-Upper St. Clair, said he received and read through the resolution opposing vouchers that and responded to board President Harry Kunselman.

"I thanked him and for providing the resolution. It's nice to hear from liked-minded neighbors," Maher said. "I've been against vouchers since its conception."

of low-income families at failing public schools to transfer to private or parochial schools. The state-funded vouchers would cost anywhere from $5,000 to $14,000 a child, depending on the school district.

Find out what's happening in Upper St. Clairwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The Upper St. Clair School Board's concern is that the program would take money away from public education.

The state Senate voted in favor of the vouchers in October. In addition, the measure would lift the $75 million cap on the Educational Improvement Tax Credit, which gives tax breaks to businesses that provide tuition funds to low-income students. The bill would also boost the number of charter schools by giving school boards more power to convert public schools to charters.

Find out what's happening in Upper St. Clairwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Maher said he supports the EITC. He's also in favor of "modifying the charter school law to provide additional opportunities for school districts like Bethel Park to explore other schools."

Maher believes the state Senate put the three issues into one bill because many legislators favor EITC. He said he doesn't know if their tactic will work when the House votes on the bill. Maher is working on dividing the issues into separate bills.

"We'll have to wait and see how the next couple of weeks unroll," Maher said.

Are you for or against tuition vouchers? Tell us in the comments.


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