ATLANTA (AP) — The Georgia Senate has voted to broaden the state's new tuition tax credit program, which gives income tax credits to donors who contribute to scholarship programs for students to attend private schools.

The measure, which passed 35-12 Friday, is designed to pave the way for more businesses to take advantage of the tax credit and to make it easier for more people to use them. It also makes pre-kindergarten students eligible.

State Sen. Vincent Fort, an Atlanta Democrat, calls the measure "a back door voucher bill" that would hurt public schools. But state Sen. Eric Johnson, a Savannah Republican, says it allows for the private citizens and businesses to invest in education.

The bill already has passed the House. It now heads to the governor.

On the Net:

House Bill 100: http://www.legis.ga.gov

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press.