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Montana taxation committee hears sharp debate over HB209 school-choice tax credit
Summary
Supporters said HB209 would reimburse parents for private-school and homeschool expenses; opponents warned the broad credit could divert public funds, create regulatory exposure for homeschoolers, and be claimed by nonparents or wealthy donors. Sponsor Greg Overstreet pledged targeted amendments.
Representative Greg Overstreet introduced House Bill 209 as a voluntary state income tax credit allowing claimants to recover eligible nonpublic-education expenses such as homeschool curriculum and private tuition. Overstreet said the credit would be capped at the state portion (44.7% of A and B, which he described as approximately $6,000) and that the bill is modeled on other states and U.S. Supreme Court precedent, citing Espinosa v. Montana to argue the credit does not constitute unconstitutional direct aid to religious schools. "This is voluntary. It is a tax credit and that is all," Overstreet said.
Proponents included homeschooling parents and private-school advocates. Christine Agin, a homeschooling mother and tax accountant, described extensive drafting consultations with homeschool legal experts and said the bill’s language was intentionally narrow…
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