Sen. Bob Nonini, R-Coeur d’Alene, is proposing a new version of his unsuccessful bill from last year to grant a tax credit for donations to scholarships for Idaho students to attend to private schools, saying the move will save money by having fewer students enroll in Idaho public schools. “This particular piece of legislation has a projected state savings of $3.3 million, and a projected local savings of $2.49 million, for a total overall savings of $5.8 million dollars,” Nonini told the House Rev & Tax Committee this morning.

The committee voted to introduce the bill, with Democratic Reps. Grant Burgoyne and Mat Erpelding dissenting. Nonini’s bill would grant tax credits of up to $10 million a year to individuals or corporations.