SC senators advance private school choice bill

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A Senate committee has advanced a bill giving tax breaks to South Carolina parents who send their children to private school or educate them at home.

But the voice vote Tuesday did not signify approval. The Finance Committee sent the bill to the floor without a recommendation. Sen. John Matthews says he will put an objection on the bill, blocking debate in the session’s final two weeks.

A Senate subcommittee made a similar move three weeks ago. It voted against the bill 3-2 but decided to advance it anyway for further discussion.

The bill gives a $4,000 tax deduction per child for parents who pay tuition upfront and a $2,000 deduction for homeschooling expenses. Poor and disabled children could get scholarships for up to 75 percent of tuition cost.