Lobby sues state for paying private school fees

RALEIGH, North Carolina (AP):

Advocacy groups representing parents and public education are suing North Carolina officials after the General Assembly passed a law this year allowing taxpayer money to help pay private-school tuition.

The North Carolina Association of Educators and the liberal North Carolina Justice Center filed their lawsuit yesterday in Wake County, saying the new law violates the state constitution's requirement that public money go exclusively to free, public schools.

A spokeswoman for state Senate leader Phil Berger of Eden says lawmakers won't comment until they've had time to review the lawsuit.

The law will allow low-income students to take $4,200 a year in taxpayer money to pay for private school tuition beginning in 2014.

Lawmakers say they want to expand the programme beyond the $10 million budgeted in the first year.