Vouchers a real issue in guv's race

To eliminate concerns about wealthy families fleeing public schools, limit the pilot project to low-income families. But don't doom the pilot to failure with unfair restrictions. School choice programs are gaining momentum all over the country. It's time Utah joined the parade. We need a governor with an open mind.

Pignanelli: My father attended West High and Judge Memorial. A graduate of Catholic institutions and a public school teacher for more than 20 years, my mother recently retired as principal of a small religious school. The first eight years of education for my sisters and me were under the strict tutelage of Irish nuns at St. Vincent's in Murray (we still have bruises). Thus, my family has over half a century of experience with private schooling and we oppose tax credits and vouchers.

LaVarr and his fellow "voucherites" have warped their minds with the ingestion of so much free-market tripe. They want to hammer the square peg of competition into the round hole of a public education system dedicated to egalitarian objectives — an impossible task.

Credits and vouchers will not improve public schools and the 97 percent of Utah's children who attend them. Experience and studies from other states (i.e., Illinois and Virginia) have conclusively determined such government incentives will only lavish tax breaks on wealthy parents who can afford tuition. Lower and middle-income families have limited capacity to participate. If the number of pupils in private schools were to double overnight in Utah, no monetary savings would accrue because the remaining 94 percent of students still need buildings, teachers, etc. Credits and vouchers will drain tax dollars from the public system that is constitutionally mandated to provide a quality education to all children (as verified by a recent Price Waterhouse Coopers study).

LaVarr and his buddies conveniently ignore the polling data: Utahns do not want government subsidies of non-public education. Other states have more private schools available because of religious constituents. LDS parents in Utah can satisfy similar needs through the extensive seminary program.

As with other extremists oblivious to reality, the credit and voucher cohort is a small but vocal force within Republican ranks. All the gubernatorial candidates paid homage to them with laissez-faire education statements — excluding Gov. Olene Walker who was attacked for her veto of a limited voucher program.

This issue is no longer advantageous for Jon Huntsman Jr. The benefit he received from appealing to voucherites ended at the primary election, explaining the astute mention of — but no detailed plan for —"market forces" in his current education proposal. Scott Matheson Jr. has an impressive education platform that articulates creative ideas to advance needed reform. His wise hard-line against vouchers complements a focus on school choice through charter schools and other programs. Matheson clearly understands 97 percent of Utah parents have already made a decision on this matter. Private schools are appropriate for families who choose so, but not at the expense of Utah children.

Matheson can convert many by contrasting his sound beliefs with the threat emanating from LaVarr's ideological playmates.

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Republican LaVarr Webb was policy deputy to Gov. Mike Leavitt and Deseret News managing editor. He now is a political consultant and lobbyist. E-mail: lwebb@exoro.com. Democrat Frank Pignanelli is a Salt Lake attorney, lobbyist and political adviser. A recent candidate for Salt Lake mayor, Pignanelli served 10 years in the Utah House of Representatives, six years as House Minority Leader. E-mail: frankp@xmission.com.