Voucher activists rally at TX Capitol

AP ^ | 4/5/05

[Crackingham]

A renewed push to use taxpayer money to fund private school tuition seems to be gaining steam among state lawmakers. Activists on both sides of the voucher issue were campaigning strong at the Capitol today, drawing Gov. Rick Perry and other Republican leaders to speak out. Advocates argue that the proposals foster competition, improving quality of schools and will give all students equal access to a quality education regardless of income and neighborhood.

"The chief mission of public schools is not to receive as much money as possible, but to educate as many children as possible," Perry told a crowd of voucher proponents. "We must let parents liberate their children from poorly performing schools."

Opponents argue that the voucher pilot proposals would siphon funds from public schools at a time when public school funding is most in need.

Gary Bledsoe, president of Texas NAACP, said there aren't enough private schools to take in all students, the cost would be enormous and that tax money diverted to them would hurt public schools.

"We consider this program to be like fools gold," Bledsoe said.

He said people are lured into the pro-voucher movement with the idea that their children will go to school with the rich kids.

"The bottom line is, that's not possible," Bledsoe said.

Three pilot voucher bills were being considered by the House Public Education Committee. The hearing spurred a throng of rallies on the Capitol grounds, both opposing and endorsing the voucher movement.

"I'm a huge believer in the free-market system," said Rep. Frank Corte, R-San Antonio, who sponsored one of the voucher proposals. "Education is the largest big-ticket item in our society with no opportunity to exercise the benefits of a free-market society."

A coalition of anti-voucher activists said the proposals would cost public schools more than $1 billion.

Carolyn Boyle, coordinator for the Coalition of Public Schools, called the proposals a "mean assault" on urban school districts. Houston schools, for example, could lose up to $900 million, while Dallas could lose $645 million under the proposals, Boyle said.

[TXBubba]

He said people are lured into the pro-voucher movement with the idea that their children will go to school with the rich kids.

I'm rich! My kid is a rich kid! Gee, wonder why I don't have cable TV or a new car, or a big vacation planned etc. etc. etc. No, going to private school does not mean you are rich. In fact, at the rate it is going the taxes to pay for the public schools will prevent a lot of the "rich" kids from going to private schools.

[jagrmeister]

This is excellent news. Public Education is the last major government monopoly; with increasing costs and diminishing returns. Texas would be a wonderful place to try the voucher program on a large enough scale. America cannot maintain its standing in the world and economic dominance with a second-rate educational system.

[anymouse]

How about a Texas sized ping for education vouchers.

[MeekOneGOP]

Voucher activists rally at TX Capitol

Please let me know if you want ON or OFF my Texas ping list!. . .don't be shy.
No, you don't HAVE to be a Texan to get on this list!

[BJClinton]

...when public school funding is most in need.

Our school system, like all government bureaucracies, is a junky and tax dollars are its fix. It will always be "most in need". Besides, fewer students means more money per student. But them, the TEA might lose some power and that is really what this is about.

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

He said people are lured into the pro-voucher movement with the idea that their children will go to school with the rich kids.

Judging from what I've read, it's desperation on the part of the parents, not status-seeking, or am I wrong?