(RALEIGH) -- A bill introduced in the General Assembly would reward lower income families who opt out of the public school system with up to $3,500 in tax credits.  The proposal has angered Democrats and public school leaders.

House Majority Leader Paul Stam introduced the bill and said it has a relatively simple purpose.  "If a parent decides that private or home school is better for their child, they've been in public school, then they will get a tax credit of about $2,500 per year if they are being lawfully educated elsewhere," said Stam. In addition to a $2,500 state refund, the bill would authorize county commissioners to issue local tax credits of up to $1,000.

Families with taxable income less than $100,000 for married couples, or $60,000 for singles, would be eligible. The legislation, along with a bill to lift the cap on charter schools, is a key part of Republican’s school-reform agenda in the General Assembly.