Choice Surges Despite States' Fiscal Woes

Tax credits, not vouchers, win favor from lawmakers amid warnings about cost

Despite states’ growing budget woes and Utah voters’ repeal five months ago of the nation’s first universal state voucher program, the school choice movement is gaining some ground as legislatures advance proposals that would indirectly funnel taxpayer money to families who want to send their children to private schools.

The Georgia legislature this month created a tax credit for families and companies that donate to private-school-voucher funds. Louisiana approved a new tax deduction for families that pay private school tuition. Two more states are advancing tax-break legislation: Florida and Oklahoma.

And in a twist that could rejuvenate vouchers for students in failing schools in Florida, school choice advocates are trying to persuade a special commission that meets only every 20 years to put a constitutional amendment legalizing vouchers...