The Republican majority in the Alabama Legislature has handed the Republican governor a major defeat by rejecting his proposal to delay the start of private school tax credits for two years.
The House voted against the governor's proposal 57-10 Monday. Then the Senate agreed 19-15 at the urging of the architect of the tax credits, Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh. Republicans provided the decisive votes.
Marsh says the state doesn't need to put off the tax credits, which go to parents who move their children from failing public schools to private schools, or non-failing public schools.
Gov. Robert Bentley says starting the tax credits this year is fiscally irresponsible. He says failing schools should have two years to improve before the tax credits start.
