MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - The Alabama House has turned down a bill to require public schools to start their new year no earlier than Aug. 10.

The House voted 43-39 Thursday on a motion to bring the bill up for debate, short of the three-fifths vote needed.

The sponsor, Rep. Craig Ford, D-Gadsden, said the purpose was to help tourism in the state. He said schools are opening earlier every year and it is hurting tourist attractions.

He said the early school start also makes it difficult for students to work summer jobs.

The bill was opposed by local school systems that wanted to control their own school year.

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