From Deseret News archives:
Voucher foes roll out a bus tour
State education leaders, lawmakers and educators made stops Wednesday in Salt Lake County and Weber County as part of a school bus tour that leaders say is the first leg of a new effort to defeat the controversial private school voucher program.
Organization leaders said the bus was rented from a private bus company and they wanted to make it clear they were not using public resources.
"Starting today we are on the move to inform Utah voters about why they should vote against Referendum 1 starting today we are on the move to protect public schools," said Lisa Johnson, spokeswoman for Utahns for Public Schools. "We've planned robust communications and a grass-roots outreach campaign."
She said the group is also launching an advertising campaign statewide on both television and radio along with a new Web site that will provide ways for Utahns to get directly involved in fighting the voucher law.
Johnson said the group also has volunteers who are making almost daily appearances at community events Kiwanis clubs, Rotary clubs, chambers of commerce and various other meetings in their own communities.
"Utahns for Public Schools is proud to have every statewide member-based education organization or association as part of our coalition," Johnson said.
Teachers of the year in a number of districts will also be leading anti-voucher campaigns in their respective areas of the state.
On the other side of the issue, Parents for Choice in Education, the pro-voucher group, launched its campaign in late July and is focusing on a grass-roots efforts in hopes residents will vote in favor of the program.
The voucher law, which was approved by the Legislature this past spring, would provide Utah families with a private-school tuition voucher ranging from $500 to $3,000 per student based on the parents' income.
It also would appropriate $9.2 million for mitigation money to hold schools harmless for five years after a student leaves and goes to a private school.
But it doesn't sit well with some who say it's a bad idea to siphon public money into private schools.
In March Utahns for Public schools successfully gathered enough signatures for a referendum that would allow Utahns to decide whether they want a voucher program. As a result, the law is now on hold pending a Nov. 6 vote that will determine if the measure will stay on the books.
Kim Burningham, chairman of the State Board of Education and member of the coalition, said the voucher program would only benefit a few students, since 15 of Utah's 29 counties don't have any private schools.
Moreover, only families who had the means to come up with the remaining tuition could participate in the program.
E-mail: terickson@desnews.com
Recent comments
Voucher proponents are short on empirical data (wow I sound so smart)...
Professor Gilligan | Aug. 30, 2007 at 11:33 p.m.
I hate the UTA. I WANT a voucher for a new car to get to work.
Vouch this | Aug. 30, 2007 at 11:29 p.m.
Voucher foes are short on empirical data and long on rhetoric. Simply...
Professor | Aug. 30, 2007 at 5:15 p.m.
- BYU-I devotional: Elder Clayton 1:38 p.m.
- Juan Diego pulls away from Wasatch 1:34 p.m.
- Iran began nuke plant 7 years ago 1:16 p.m.
- Fort Hood suspect charged 1:16 p.m.
- Obama orders Fort Hood intel review 1:06 p.m.
- Federal deficit sets October record 1:04 p.m.
- 5A: Davis, Hunter by the numbers 12:58 p.m.
- Cougars land Vegas standout 12:52 p.m.
- Salt Laker places 5th in skeleton 12:49 p.m.
- Traffic stop leads to teen sex arrest 12:48 p.m.
- House passes health care bill
299 - SLC council OKs gay rights policies
288 - TCU showdown has big implications
195 - Senators want food tax restored
158 - Cougars crush hapless Cowboys
155 - Utah Jazz fall apart against Kings
131 - TCU 4th in AP poll; U. 16th, Y. 22nd
119 - Will state consider gay rights law?
117 - Letters: Strange breed in Utah
112 - S.L. vote pending on gay protections
110
One of my guilty pleasures is perusing the covers of celebrity magazines...
The galactic center shines like firelight through gaps in …
It is easy to tell the difference between a "fair tax" and an unfair tax. A...
Just as the liberals will never stop, I will never stop affirming my...
We have a point guard and a very good back up power forward (Millsap). Our...
Laws regarding marriage.... | 12:39 p.m. Nov. 12, 2009 "...are the same for...
The difference is huge because a vote authorizing the President to go to war...
Demo Dave | 11:28 a.m. If you listened to the shows you complain about you...
These are not MC fans, they have to be TV trying to get everyone relied up....
Any elected official who supports said measures will not get my vote. This...
I'm still not clear on if we are discussing another "urban myth" or if there...
I'm thinking Tavi is open right now....and he should shoot it!


