Associated Press - May 26, 2009 6:44 PM ET

PHOENIX (AP) - Republican-backed legislation to create new tax credits to help hundreds of foster children and disabled children attend private schools is advancing in the Legislature.

On a special session's second day, Senate and House committees on Tuesday endorsed the bill creating new corporate and insurance premium tax credits for donations for private school tuition grants.

Priority would go initially to foster and disabled children who received vouchers that have been ruled unconstitutional by the Arizona Supreme Court.

Supporters say lawmakers must help the students get the schooling they need.

Democratic critics say lawmakers should focus on Arizona's budget crisis and on providing adequate funding for schooling of all 120,000 special-education students.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.