Ellington

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi senators have agreed to let a small percentage of special education students use public money to go to private schools.

Thirty senators voted yes and 18 voted no Thursday on the final version of Senate Bill 2695.

Democratic Sen. John Hohrn held the bill for another possible round of debate, but it appears unlikely that opponents will stop it from going to Republican Gov. Phil Bryant, who plans to sign it.

The measure would create $6,500-a-year vouchers.

Up to 500 students could receive a voucher the first year, and the program would increase by 500 a year until it reaches 2,500 students.

Opponents say vouchers would help too few of Mississippi's nearly 66,500 special-needs students. Some lawmakers also object to using tax dollars to pay for private education.