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Show SuMTomd Schools Tax Credits Would Hurt By TOM BUSSELBERG It may sound fair on paper, but once legislators have "looked into" the tuition tax credit proposal that would give some tax dollars over to private pri-vate schools, they usually have "second thoughts," Dee Burningham says. THAT assessment by the Davis Education Assoc. executive ex-ecutive Secretary notes three of four current Utah representatives represen-tatives and senators favor the proposal although Incumbent Rep. James Hansen and his opponent, Stephen Dirks, have voiced opposition. Mr. Burningham indicates that stancs comes in spite of what he says would be "an ex-temely ex-temely detrimental effect on Utah" where only about one and one-half percent of public school-aged youngsters attend private schools. WHERE ABOUT 10 percent of students nationally attend private schools, Utah's tax dollars will go to Washington, D.C. as usual, but less would be funnelled back for this prog-ram--about one-seventh what's sent. "It's just foolishness foolish-ness from a practical standpoint stand-point for Utah congressmen to be in favor," Mr. Burningham continues. "There are numerous reasons it's folly. It's a clear violation of the Constitution's separation of church and state. Most private schools are religious reli-gious (and ii -vould mean) massive mas-sive tax sif-.'dy to private religion." reli-gion." BUT HE said the "real fundamental" fun-damental" problem could see the nation drifting toward "elitism" as probably a greater grea-ter number of students would attend private schools. "The concept that everyone ought to have the same basic education opportunity as they begin in life" for Americans would be altered. "Those who have money to add to the tax subsidy can afford better" to attend private schools, Mr. Burningham goes on, noting the "tendency for people who have means to take the more 'expensive' schools" to send their children to with some private schools catering to the gifted and talented while the public schools must continue con-tinue providing traditionally more costly programs for handicapped and vocational education, for example. "I DON'T think there's been a demonstration that pri vate schools are superior. You have more differential in private pri-vate schools-some are exceedingly ex-ceedingly expensive, really cater ca-ter to the upper class," he continued. con-tinued. Also raising some strong concerns was Dave King president of the DEA, who said the bill "has some far-reaching far-reaching implications. On the surface, it might sound like a tremendous, positive thing for those who choose the private system." LOOKING at the public school system, he says. "I think the record shows it has served very well. At least it's available for every student, no matter whether they're handicapped hand-icapped or whatever their capacity." He sees supporters of the tuition tax credit bill as "undermining the support of education-at least fderally" and issued another concern "It would seem to create an educational caste system where those in the upper and middle class" would be sending send-ing youngsters to private schools or would have that "tendency." ECHOING Mr. Burning-ham Burning-ham s concerns about what might carry he said, priced programs woul-in woul-in public education J; what we have seen K; where private educ. nourishing (would that). "No doubt there migration out from ; schools," Mr. W adding, "I think w would show national1, private education v.1 aged, it creates social' almost a class system-private system-private and public set EMPHASIZING t opposed to private as such, Mr. Kir 1 tremendous shot in if , to the private side wot-, ly undermine" P1 "especially in an area; where we have such dous class size, etc The credit system allow those already"1, tion to pay taxes w leaving non-taxpay1: the cold, he continue oneinalowcrecon tion could afford 1 an, way and it wo"111,. value if they're no taxes. There's a a' who it would really t ' ) incentive for-atthe;, the poor or the rich. "S |