Earn tax credits by donating to private school of choice
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Editor,
Our local legislators will be holding a town hall meeting on Wednesday, May 25 at 6:30 p.m. in the Polson Library meeting room to discuss opportunities for taxpayers to receive tax credits for this year. Senator Kim Hansen will join them to help answer questions about this option.
The Montana Senate and House passed a bill last year that allows individuals a dollar-for-dollar $150 state tax credit (unlike a deduction) if they contribute to a student scholarship organization or an innovative educational program. The scholarship organization will provide scholarships to participating schools (Mission Valley Christian Academy is one) for parents who wish to have their child attend any private school in Montana. The innovative educational program is available to any public school to help fund a specific program. This is the very first school choice legislation to be passed in our state.
The Montana Department of Revenue decided to restrict the scholarships to only non-religious private schools citing the conflict of appropriation of state funds for religious education. Several Kalispell parents filed suit, claiming discrimination against the 70 percent of private school students in Montana. The parent’s lawyers argued that the tax credit is not an appropriation and is similar to any tax deduction currently allowed. The judge ruled in favor of the parents and agreed that the Department of Revenue ignored the legislature’s intent. The judge also agreed that the parents would be irreparably harmed by the DOR’s rule. And best, the judge said the Montana constitution requires “equality of educational opportunity” for all Montana students, whether they attend faith-based or non-faith-based schools.
Whether you support private or public education options, this is a meeting that can affect every taxpayer in our state. Please consider coming to the Polson library on the 25th to find out more about this opportunity.
Chris Bumgarner
Polson
