Gov. signs bill setting up private ed accounts

Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval has signed a bill allowing students to use state funds designated for their public education at private schools.

The Republican governor approved SB302 on Tuesday, after it passed the Legislature along party lines. It’s considered the broadest law of its kind in the country.

The bill is sponsored by Republican Sen. Scott Hammond and allows students a grant equal to 90 percent of their per-pupil state funding allotment. Students could use the state money deposited in the education savings account for tuition, textbooks and tutoring.

Democrats railed against the measure and said it would take millions of dollars out of public schools at a critical time.

Republicans said it would give parents with children in failing schools the financial ability to move to a better school.