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vol, 9, no. 81

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Articles provided through Catholic World News Service

      WASHINGTON, DC (CWNews.com) - The US Senate narrowly passed a plan to create tax-free savings accounts for school expenses which would allow parents to save money for private school tuition, but President Bill Clinton has already vowed to veto the bill.

      The bill was passed by 56-43 with only a few Republicans and Democrats crossing over party lines. The measure also includes amendments which oppose creating federal math and reading tests and ends the Education Department's control over some spending programs. Supporters said the bill was intended to return control of education to states, local school districts, and parents. "What we have here is a choice between the status quo and people who want to empower parents to have more of a role in the education of their children," said Sen. Judd Gregg, R-New Hampshire.

      The measure's co-sponsors said the tax-free savings accounts are a modest way to help working and poor families meet school expenses and find alternatives to dangerous or substandard public schools. The bill must now be reconciled with a House-passed version.

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