COLUMBIA --- The latest effort to use taxpayer money to help parents send their children to private schools died Wednesday, though both supporters and opponents expect the issue to return next year.
The Senate Education Committee sent the bill back to a subcommittee, essentially killing the measure. With a 6-4 vote, the subcommittee had sent the bill to the committee two weeks ago, recommending that it be voted down.
The bill's sponsor, Sen. Robert Ford, had asked that the bill not be voted on Wednesday.
Committee Chairman John Courson began the meeting by holding up a one-sentence letter from Mr. Ford and suggesting senators honor the request.
And with that quick motion, as a standing-room only crowd looked on, the controversial idea was dead -- again.
The idea of helping parents afford private tuition through tax credits and scholarships has failed repeatedly in the Legislature since 2004 and divided Republicans.
The support of Mr. Ford, a prominent black Democrat, had added a new twist to the debate.
The Charleston Democrat said later there was no need to rush a vote, with only five days left on the legislative calendar this year.
He said private school choice advocates began running two weeks of ads last Saturday, which feature his voice, on black radio stations across the state and will run them again before the session begins next year.
"Let's work it during the break and gain support," said Mr. Ford, who declined to say how much the ads cost.
Opponents of using taxpayer money for private education said simple calculation spurred Mr. Ford's request.
"A counting of heads indicated he didn't have the support to pass the bill out," said Sen. John Matthews, D-Bowman, the Legislature's longest-serving black lawmaker.
Senators unanimously approved a competing bill requiring districts to expand choices within public schools.
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