MONTGOMERY, Alabama ---
Republicans dropped a legislative bombshell tonight as they slammed through a dramatically revamped education bill that will give tax credits for families at "failing schools" to send their children to private school or another public school.
Lawmakers voted mid-day to send a school flexibility bill -- that would let school systems seek waivers from some policies -- to conference committee. The conference committee reported a dramatically different bill that included the flexibility measures plus what some lawmakers called school vouchers.
Republicans heralded it as a historic day for education and life-altering for children stuck in poorly performing schools. But tempers boiled over as Democrats called the maneuver "sleaziness" and a "bait and switch."
The Senate broke down in chaos during the vote with every senator on their feet and many shouting at each other.
"This is historic for the children of this state," Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh, R-Anniston, said over the shouts of angry Democrats.
"You went behind closed doors... This is not democracy. This is hypocrisy," Sen. Quinton Ross, D-Montgomery, shouted at Marsh.
The House of Representatives approved the bill by a 51-26 vote. The Senate approved the bill 22-11.
Gov. Robert Bentley is expected to sign the bill next week.
"I truly believe this is historic education reform and it will benefit students and families across Alabama regardless of their income and regardless of where they live," Bentley said in a press conference tonight.
"I'm so proud we have done this for the children of this state and especially the children who are in failing school systems and had no way out. Now, they have a way out," Bentley said.
A bill, originally written to allow local schools to seek waivers from some state policies and laws, grew from about eight pages to about 27 pages in the conference committee.
The move drew outrage from Democrats who said the plan was evidently in the works for some time.
"I've never seen such sleaziness," Rep. Thomas Jackson, D-Thomasville, said.
Rep. Mary Moore, D-Birmingham, as she was leaving the House chamber threw her hands over her head and shouted, "Welcome to the new confederacy where a bunch of white men are now going to take over black schools."
Republicans said the bill would free children from the bondage that comes with a poor education.
"For many of these children, what we are doing tonight is life-altering," Rep. Jack Williams, R-Vestavia Hills, said.
Cursing was heard in the legislative hallways as the word of the conference committee spread.