Voucher Facts

Tomorrow I will debate Utah PTA President Carmen Snow on vouchers. (Dixie State College, Gardner Center, 10/23, at 5:30 p.m.). I admire Carmen and am pleased to share the podium with her.

The PTA sent flyers home with just about every student. It was a very neutral invitation to come hear some discussion. Props to the Washington County PTA!

After the debate, I will post a video and, hopefully, a transcript. I am assuming the debate will have good substance and will be a good resource for voters still deciding.

I believe that the pro-voucher side is behind right now. But I get the very clear sense that we're making up ground as people dig into the details. This one will come down to the wire.

Correction: The rebuttal in the voter information pamphlet asks, “Why is there such a fuss over 0.0025% of the education budget?” The “%” sign should not have been included; in other words, the cost of vouchers – before any savings are factored in – represents less than ¼ of 1% of education spending in the State. I confirmed with the Legislative Fiscal Analyst today (as had been discussed below) that the voucher program begins to realize net savings for public education right around the point that an additional 1% of the school-eligible population takes advantage of vouchers and switches to private schools. Anything beyond that point is pure savings to the system at the rate of $5,500 per student.