By Marshall Griffin, KWMU
Jefferson City, MO – The Missouri Senate has set aside a bill that would provide scholarships for disabled children to attend better-performing public or private schools.
It would also provide state tax breaks to private donors who fund them.
Supporters say the bill would provide more opportunity for kids afflicted with various types of disabilities to get a good education.
But State Senator Rita Heard Days (D, St. Louis) expressed concern that some kids could be worse off by switching schools.
"So often we throw things to the private entity, and we have no accountability about that process...special needs children are indeed special, and I want to make sure that wherever they're being educated that we know what they're doing, we know the situations that they're in, and we know that they are getting a proper education," Days said.
Democrats spent over two hours on Monday discussing and questioning the bill in what appeared to be a potential filibuster.
Senate Majority Floor Leader Charlie Shields (R, St. Joseph) says he hopes an agreement can be reached before the end of session.
"It falls in that category, if we can get past the emotion and get past the 'camel's nose under the tent' arguments, that there might be something that can be worked out on it," Shields said.
Opponents believe the bill is a back-door attempt to legalize private school vouchers in Missouri.