Sen. John Rafferty, second from right

HARRISBURG PA – Republicans say controversial school voucher legislation could clear the state Senate by the end of next week, The Pennsylvania Independent online news service reported Friday (April 8, 2011).

The bill would allow parents of eligible children to redirect per-student state-level funding to a school of their choice.  Local property taxes would continue to be paid to the local school district and overall state spending on education would not increase. In the Pottsgrove, Spring-Ford and Pottstown districts and elsewhere, administrators see the trend as further imperiling future budgets and their abilities to educate.

State Sen. John Rafferty, who represents Lower Pottsgrove (PA) and Limerick townships and the borough of Pottstown in the state’s 44th District, told The Independent he hopes to have a final vote on the school choice bill before next Friday (April 15).

• Read a story by reporter Eric Boehm, titled “School choice bill could pass Senate next week” and published Friday by The Independent, here.

Related (to education tuition vouchers):

• PA Senate School Choice Vote Possible Next Week
• Two Unions Break Ranks, Back State School Vouchers
• Idea: Pottsgrove Might Prosper With Own Charter School
• Choice Amendment Would Remove Vouchers’ 3rd Year
• Teacher Unions Say Budgets, Vouchers Top Their Agendas
• Poll Claims Public Opposes Tuition Vouchers
• Senate Education Chair Preps For Voucher, Choice Battle