Arizona Governor Signs Laws to Strengthen Two School Choice Programs

Actions Benefit Low-Income Children, Taxpayers
WASHINGTON--(Business Wire)--
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.

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

Alliance for School Choice
Andrew Campanella, 202-276-1303
acampanella@allianceforschoolchoice.org
or
Ashley Ehrenreich, 202-280-1986
aehrenreich@allianceforschoolchoice.org

Copyright Business Wire 2009