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Iowa House Republicans — with the exception of State Rep. Mark Cisneros — voted against an amendment offered by Democrat State Rep. Monica Kurth that would have stated private school students receiving an Education Savings Account payment could not be charged more for tuition than students who do not receive an ESA payment.

Kurth said the ESAs are an “enormous investment” for Iowa and it is important to ensure the money is spent “judiciously and properly.”

Democrat State Rep. Jennifer Konfrst said it was her understanding the intent of the ESA bill was to make it more affordable for kids to go to school.

“Now (private schools) are raising tuition,” she said. “I think getting a little oversight in this is pretty important.”

Kurth said plans to charge students receiving an ESA more for tuition and fees than students who do not receive an ESA could be corrected by her amendment.

The amendment failed 58-35, with Cisneros as the only Republican to vote in support.

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