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Home Educators Association of Virginia (HEAV)

To: Home Educators of Virginia
From: Joe Guarino, director of government affairs
Date: Friday, February 4, 2005

2005 GENERAL ASSEMBLY UPDATE: Educational Tax Credit Fails in Full Committee

Wednesday afternoon, the full House Finance Committee passed HB 1942, the Children At Risk in Education (CARE) Scholarship Tax Credit, patroned by Del. Chris Saxman (R-Staunton). On Monday night, Delegate Saxman agreed to incorporate HB 2914, a tax credit for ALL parents, into HB 1942. At least, this is what appeared to have happened.

At the full House Finance Committee meeting Wednesday afternoon, the report from the subcommittee indicated HB 2914 had been laid on the table (killed) by a vote of 6-4. I approached the subcommittee chairman, Del. Bobby Orrock, when he was off the dais and questioned him about the bill, reminding him that the bill had been rolled into HB 1942. He told me during the subcommittee hearing the delegates thought the bills would be compatible.

Upon closer scrutiny Tuesday, it was discovered that they were not compatible. Specifically, Del. Orrock mentioned the bills had very different price tags. But how HB 2914 was reported as being laid on the table when it was clearly incorporated into HB 1942 is still a mystery.

When HB 2914 was brought up for discussion before the full committee, the co-chair of the subcommittee, Del. Lee Ware, who was giving the report said the subcommittee had voted to table HB 2914. Del. Saxman quickly mentioned that, no, the bill had been rolled into HB 1942. Unfortunately, Del. Ware continued with his assertion, a motion was quickly made to table the bill anyway, a vote was taken, and HB 2914 was tabled unanimously. This effectively kills the bill for this session. No further action will be taken on HB 2914.

Well over 100 supportive parents and children, some with posters saying, "Support School Choice," were stunned at the speedy demise of HB 2914. While most of the supporters were from private schools, we thank the homeschoolers who came to this meeting and many more of you who made phone calls,

HB 1942 did pass out of the committee, 11-10, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute from the committee. The bill in its present form does not include tax credits for homeschoolers.

ACTION ITEM
HB 2914 had a lot of merit and may be brought up again in the future. Please thank Del. Chris Saxman for his desire to assist all students, including homeschoolers, by introducing the Virginia Education Investment Act.

Go to http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?051+mbr+H158 for his contact information.


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HEAV—Serving the homeschoolers of Virginia through information, legislation, and resources since 1983! Be sure to sign up to receive the FREE Virginia Home Educator magazine at http://www.heav.org.

HEAV (Home Educators Association of Virginia)
2248-G Dabney Road
Richmond, VA 23230

Phone: 804-278-9200
Fax: 804-278-9202
Website: http://www.heav.org
E-mail: info@heav.org; for legislative matters, legislative@heav.org