KRWG News – SANTA FE, N.M. (krwg) New Mexicans could earmark their tax refunds for public schools under a bill heading to the House.
The Senate approved a measure Tuesday allowing people to donate part of their state personal income tax refund to help finance public schools. The contributions would be split among all school districts based on the state's school funding formula.
The bill passed the Senate on a 36-1 vote.
Republican Sen. Rod Adair of Roswell opposed the legislation and said it's unlikely to provide much money for schools. About $134,000 was donated in 2008 to tax refund donation programs, which include ones to help National Guard members and maintain the Vietnam Veterans' Memorial State Park.
Adair said the school proposal could hurt existing refund programs by siphoning off contributions.
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. krwg