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Study Finds State Voucher Savings

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By ADAM EMERSON

aemerson@tampatrib.com

Published: December 17, 2008

The watchdog for the Florida Legislature says a state program that diverts corporate taxes to private school vouchers saved $38.9 million last year.

The Office of Program Policy Analysis & Government Accountability says nearly 21,500 low-income students were able to attend a private school in 2007 through Florida's corporate tax voucher program.

Researchers estimate taxpayers saved $1.49 in state education funding for every dollar lost in such tax revenue.

The report assumes that nearly all students who got vouchers would have gone to public schools. Each voucher cost $3,750 in 2007, compared with about $6,100 the state spent on each public school student.

The program's supporters say the findings weaken the argument that vouchers undermine financing for public schools.

Some Democrats, however, questioned the report's accuracy.

The Democrats' Senate leader, Al Lawson, said the study was "narrow and limited."

Reporter Adam Emerson can be reached at (813) 259-8285.

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