A bill to support science-oriented after-school programs was approved by the Senate today; however, a Republican amendment aimed at providing funding for the plan was denied by Democrats.

House Bill 1243, by Sen. Suzanne Williams, D-Aurora, and Rep. Nancy Todd, D-Aurora, passed by nearly a unanimous vote. The measure creates a cash fund to take gifts, grants and donations from private sources to finance after-school sessions in math and science.

An amendment offered by Sen. Mike Kopp, R-Littleton, would have helped to fund the bill with $250,000 via the State Education Fund, a bank account that voters set aside to earmark money strictly for K-12 education. Kopp’s addition was shot down on a mostly party-line vote of 16-18 with only Sen. Chris Romer, D-Denver, joining all Republicans in support.

“This amendment would augment strength within the program by moving money to fund the proposal,” said Kopp when proposing his amendment.

“I think $250,000 is a reasonable amount to help these kids achieve their goals. (The program) has a 100-percent graduation rate, and some of these kids are doing types of mathemathics I haven't even heard of before."

Williams spoke against the amendment.

“I reject taking $250,000 from the education fund,” said Williams.

After the debate, Kopp expressed his frustrations with the majority Democrats.

“This is a program that really works, really teaches kids math and science, and we should be doing more than paying lip service to it," he said. "I wish the other side of the aisle could see that.”