The full House voted Tuesday to approve a major increase to the Educational Improvement Tax Credit, despite concerns from Democrats over elements ranging from the bill’s escalator clause to allegations that certain schools discriminate against applicants on the basis of religion.

Past increases to the EITC have drawn broad bipartisan support. 31 Democrats voted in favor of a more modest increase to the EITC and its counterpart, the Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit, last session.

Tuesday, however, only four Democrats voted to join Republicans in supporting the measure. That is due, critics say, to the more drastic nature of the legislation. 

Speaker of the House Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) joined legislators and members of Local 66 to unveil “Energize PA,” a package of eight bills he said will create jobs and redevelop infrastructure with no additional fees or taxes. 

A House committee approved Monday a controversial expansion of the state’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit, which proponents argue would help satiate high demand for the school choice instrument.

The proposal, authored by House Speaker Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny), would increase the EITC’s funding cap from $160 million to $260, and includes an escalator to continue boosting the cap as long as 90 percent of credits were claimed in the prior year.

It was a slow week in Harrisburg, with lawmakers returning to their districts prior to next week’s session. But just because state legislators weren’t in the Capitol doesn’t mean they weren’t busy introducing new legislation. This week there were a number of new proposals introduced as co-sponsorship memos, detailing upcoming bills in the state legislature. 

If you missed this week’s new co-sponsorship memos, continue reading to learn about the many ideas lawmakers have for Pennsylvania and to keep track of what proposals could become law.

We get it—session weeks are busy. That’s why we put together a list of the bills being discussed in committee and on the floor of the General Assembly that are worth devoting your precious time to tracking. From school choice to a potential Airbnb registry, here are five bills to watch for the week of April 15.