Following the elections, more voucher proposals expected at the state level
11/19/02 - Several pro-voucher governors and state legislative leaders were elected Nov. 5, which could result in more voucher and tuition tax credit bills proposed in state legislatures.
In Texas, where pro-voucher Gov. Rick Perry (R) was re-elected and Republicans gained a majority in the House and maintained their majority in the Senate, a voucher bill is expected to be introduced in January.
"We are not worried. There is strong opposition to vouchers," says Carolyn Boyle, coordinator of the Coalition for Public Schools. The coalition includes 34 education groups, and the Texas Association of School Boards "is a very, very active member," Boyle says.
The coalition has been fighting vouchers every session since 1995, and "we will beat them once again," she says. The biggest fight was in 1999 when George W. Bush was governor, and his proposal for a pilot voucher program was the only priority he pushed for that he did not get.
Noting that Texas is in a "real budget crisis" with an estimated $10 billion deficit, Boyle says "we cannot afford to support public education now, no less a voucher program."
Legislation on vouchers and tuition tax credits also is expected to be proposed in Colorado. The newly elected Colorado Senate leader, John Andrews (R), supports privatization of public education. He has signed a proclamation sponsored by the Alliance of Separation of School & State calling for the abolition of public education.
New Hampshire's newly elected governor, Craig Benson (R), is considered pro-voucher, as is Gov.-elect Mark Sanford (R) in South Carolina.
In Florida, where pro-voucher Gov. Jeb Bush (R) was re-elected, there are likely to be proposals to expand the statewide voucher program.
While there was no governor's race in Louisiana, school board leaders there expect voucher legislation will be introduced.
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| Reproduced with permission from the Nov. 19, 2002, issue of School Board News. Copyright © 2002, National School Boards Association. Opinions expressed in this newspaper do not necessarily reflect positions of NSBA. This article may be printed out and photocopied for individual or educational use, provided this copyright notice appears on each copy. This article may not be otherwise transmitted or reproduced in print or electronic form without the consent of the Publisher. For more information, call (703) 838-6789. |