Committee endorses school voucher plan Bill, opposed by teacher unions, would allow low-income pupils to attend school of their choice. Friday, May 09, 2008 • By Trish G. Graber • The Express-Times TRENTON | A bill that would give poor students in eight New Jersey municipalities the option to attend private schools or another public school cleared a legislative hurdle Thursday. The proposal was approved by the Senate Economic Growth Committee by a 3 to 1 vote, despite intense opposition from teacher unions. Union officials said the measure, if it became law, would have a devastating impact on public education. Under the bill, private corporations could donate money to a scholarship fund to- provide low-income students in eight pilot districts school choice. In exchange, business would get a dollar-for-dollar tax credit from the state. The amount allowed to go to the fund would be limited to $24 million in the first year, $360 million over five years. Supporters of the bill, sponsored by Sen. Ray Lesniak, D-Union, and Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean Jr., R-Union, say it would provide school choice to students in struggling school districts, allowing them a better opportunity for success. The state's largest teacher union said approving it would be a "radical step" for New Jersey. Union leaders said they fear it would lead to privatization of New Jersey's public education system. New Jersey Education Association President Joyce Powell said she was further concerned state Department of Treasury money would be used for the program at a time when "our state is in a deep fiscal hole, and we are facing deep cuts in programs and services." Opponents also said the program would send funding to private schools that are not held to the same accountability standards as public districts. The pilot program would last five years, and is dedicated to eight cities with Urban Enterprise Zones. They are Camden, Elizabeth, Lakewood, Newark, Orange, Paterson, Trenton and Jersey City. Legislators have discussed the school choice idea since the 1990s. The bill has never received the support needed for legislative approval. Recently, it has been blocked in the state's education committees. But Lesniak, the bill sponsor, was able to avoid that committee by drafting the newest version of the bill with a focus on the economic benefits of the program, sending it to the Economic Growth Committee which he chairs. On Thursday, Sen. Teresa Ruiz, D-Essex, was the single member of the committee to oppose the legislation. Sen. Steven Oroho, a Republican committee member, said the increased competition among schools could lead to a better educated work force, boosting business in New Jersey and tax revenue. The bill will go to the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee for consideration before it is sent to the Senate president who will decide whether to post it for a vote in the full Senate. Trish Graber is Trenton correspondent for The Express-Times. She can be reached at 609-292-5154.