GREEN BAY, Wis. (WTAQ) - Both co-chairs of the state Legislature’s finance panel say they’re in favor of expanding Milwaukee’s private school voucher program to other cities in the next state budget

Republican Governor Scott Walker told school choice supporters in Washington on Monday that he’ll expand Milwaukee’s 20-year-old program to Beloit, Racine, and Green Bay.

It gives state-funded vouchers to low-income kids to attend private schools. Republicans say it helps youngsters escape poverty, but Democrats say it hurts the public schools by taking away some of their state aid.

GOP Senate finance chair Alberta Darling says the idea has been on the table – and she favors expanding it this fall or in 2012. 

Assembly finance chair Robin Vos says he hopes the panel will add it to the next budget by early June.