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D.C. School-Voucher Plan Bogs Down (Landrieu - Louisiana RAT - makes demands)
Yahoo News ^ | 9/25/03 | BEN FELLER

Posted on 09/29/2003 6:21:00 PM PDT by Libloather

D.C. School-Voucher Plan Bogs Down
Thu Sep 25, 8:02 PM ET
By BEN FELLER, AP Education Writer

WASHINGTON - Legislation creating an experimental private-school voucher plan bogged down Thursday in the Senate after a proposed compromise fell flat.

The measure would provide $13 million for at least 1,700 poor children in the District of Columbia to get a private education, provided they are accepted by a school and can pay any expenses not covered by the maximum $7,500 voucher a year.

Republicans, who hold a slim majority in the Senate, are trying to secure at least 60 votes to overcome a possible Democratic filibuster.

The voucher plan is part of the district's budget bill for the fiscal year that begins Wednesday. The bill is not scheduled to come to a final vote until next week.

Two Democrats, Sens. Mary Landrieu of Louisiana and Thomas Carper of Delaware, offered to support the bill if several conditions were added, but said GOP leader rejected the terms. They included limiting the vouchers to students in failing schools; requiring that schools accept voucher students without charging extra tuition; and ensuring that the schools show the same yearly progress as required for public schools under new federal law.

It was not clear that Republicans would have the votes needed even if the deal had come together.

The Senate did approve an amendment by Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., that would require voucher students to take the same tests as public school students and would require their teachers to have a college degree, among other changes.

The voucher plan has recharged the debate over school choice. Never before has Congress approved private-school vouchers. Supporters hope a successful experiment in Washington would raise support for vouchers elsewhere.

The House, by a single vote, approved its own voucher plan for the district this month. The Bush administration backs vouchers and is lobbying for them.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Government; Politics/Elections; US: Delaware; US: District of Columbia; US: Louisiana
KEYWORDS: bogs; dc; marylandrieu; plan; school; thomascarper; voucher; vouchers
For the children...
1 posted on 09/29/2003 6:21:01 PM PDT by Libloather
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To: Libloather
I heard Arlen Spectre has reared his ugly head on this one.

Go Toomey
2 posted on 09/29/2003 6:44:56 PM PDT by CPT Clay
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To: Libloather
Please God give us 4-5 more next year.
3 posted on 09/29/2003 6:50:02 PM PDT by Bogey78O (The Clinton's have pardoned more terrorists than they ever captured/killed -Peach)
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To: Bogey78O
Please God give us 4-5 more next year.

That's what it will take, IMO.

4 posted on 09/29/2003 7:30:52 PM PDT by lasereye
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To: Bogey78O
Why?

Things won't be any different.

It is not the size of the dog in the fight that matters.

It is the size of the fight in the dog that matters.

If any changes are to be affected, the Republican Senators will have to be changed also.

The Senate make up could be 199 Republicans and 1 democrat and the democrat would still control it.

Until the Republicans grow a spine, numbers in their favor mean absolutely nothing.
5 posted on 09/29/2003 8:14:41 PM PDT by sport
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