RICHMOND, Va. (AP) _ The Virginia Senate has narrowly defeated a proposed private-school voucher program for disabled students. The measure would have allowed parents of a disabled child to apply for the child’s share of state funds that would otherwise go to his or her local public school system. The money could be used for tuition, fees and books at a private school. The bill, sponsored by Del. Dave LaRock, a Loudoun County Republican, was passed by the House of Delegates 57-42 earlier this month. The measure was defeated Wednesday in the Senate when Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam, a Democrat, voted “no” to break an 18-18 tie. Two Republican senators, Ben Chafin of Russell County and John Watkins of Powhatan County, did not vote. Republican Majority Leader Tommy Norment of James City County abstained.
