Let Them Eat School Lunch

The Senate and House minority leaders sent a letter to Governor Huntsman asking him to call a special session to repeal HB 174 – the “clean up” bill for my education voucher legislation (HB 148). As we all know by now, HB 148 is subject to a referendum. HB 174 is not, nor could it be, since it passed by more than two-thirds in each body. HB 148 might or might not become law. HB 174 is law, even if the state school board chooses to ignore it.

So far, we’ve had some good public dialogue on the voucher issue; however, one point seems to be entirely missing: why was HB 174 drafted? Answer: the state school board asked us to run the legislation. That legislation passed; now, they want it to go away.

The tack of the education establishment has been to ignore/oppose the voucher issue, not to ever offer contributions or suggestions to an idea that many of their constituents want. And, no matter what anyone says, the ones who want it the most are the ones who are struggling the most. Remember, rich people already have the option of going to private schools. Poor people don’t have that option – unless, as we heard repeatedly in the testimony, they work 2 or 3 jobs to pay for it. Short of that, their kids are trapped in a situation that is not working for them. While the public school system does a great job, some kids will be lost in a system so big. Maybe the kids are being bullied, maybe they have language issues, maybe they’re way behind or way ahead, etc. For whatever reason, public schools might not be working for some kids. Rich people have options. Poor people don’t.

For me, the committee testimony was revealing. In the line for vouchers were parents, most of them stating that they were struggling to financially do what is best for their children. In the line against vouchers were members of the education establishment, informing those parents that they were fine, no matter what they might experience to the contrary. Also telling was the smugness of the Senator from Holladay, righteously declaring that people in Holladay are against vouchers. Good for them. I’m glad they are rich and have wonderful schools; and, if for some reason the best performing schools in the state don’t meet their elevated needs, I’m glad they already have the money to send their kids to private schools. Life is good in Holladay. But maybe not so much in other areas.

I’m against a special session to repeal HB 174. It is law, and it should be implemented.

However, I would be happy to advocate a special session to consider modifications to HB 174. However, that would require that all sides declare a willingness to truly engage in the process. Though they’re working hard to claim some sort of high ground, it has always been undemocratic for the education establishment to refuse to dialogue on an issue of such obvious consequence to our citizens. Again, the part of the story that is missing is that the only time the education establishment was willing to dialogue was after HB 148 passed. We heard them and immediately ran the changes they requested. One side of this debate has always been willing to engage in democratic process and give the other side fair consideration.