In some states, higher-income families can now use taxpayer money to cover private school tuition -- and more people than projected are taking the offer, which might force scrambles to shore up state budgets. It's especially an issue in states like Arizona and Iowa, where at least some families whose children were already in private school can now take advantage of public funding. Her state has a new education savings account program — which is paying for students from families of any income to switch from public to private school and for many already in private school to remain there. Opponents of the programs are bracing for lawmakers to attempt to make up for the higher costs by further cutting public school funding, even though lawmakers have not publicly threatened to do so. The plans are in doubt because of opposition from Democrats and some Republicans who live in rural areas where private schools are scarce and public schools are some of the most important institutions.

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Persons: ”, Josh Cowen, it's, Ryan Cantrell, ” Aaron Galaz, “, Heather Stessman, Stessman, Beth Lewis, Katie Hobbs, Hobbs, Ben Toma, ” Toma, Greg Abbott, Matt Huffman, Hannah Fingerhut, Samantha Hendrickson, Isabella Volmert, Paul Weber Organizations: Michigan State University, American Federation for Children, Catholic, Our Schools, Arizona Gov, Republican, Republican Gov, Columbus Dispatch, Ohio, Associated Press, America Statehouse News Initiative, America Locations: Arizona, Iowa, — Arizona, Florida , Iowa, Ohio, Indiana, Arkansas, West, Phoenix, Waterloo , Iowa, Our Schools Arizona, Texas, Des Moines , Iowa, Columbus , Ohio, Indianapolis, Austin , Texas