Private school tax credit bill order extended

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - A judge is extending is an order preventing the governor from signing a private school tax credit bill.

Circuit Court Judge Charles Price ruled Wednesday that a temporary restraining order will remain in effect until a court hearing on March 15.

Spokesmen for Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh and House Speaker Mike Hubbard say they will appeal to the Alabama Supreme Court.

Price is considering a lawsuit filed by the Alabama Education Association over a Republican-backed bill to provide tax credits for parents who decide to send their children to private schools rather than failing public schools.

The judge issued the temporary restraining order after ruling that evidence indicated the Legislature may have violated its own rules and the state constitution when it passed the bill on Feb. 28.