“If you can't annoy somebody, there is little point in writing.” ― Kingsley Amis, Lucky Jim Monday, the House version of the Educational Freedom Savings Account bill was heard in the House Government Ops Committee. It was another long, chaotic, and frankly embarrassing committee meeting.
Hey there, homeschool parent here, opposed to the voucher bill. I recently found your blog and have appreciated your perspective. I have one thought regarding your point on the public school enticements in the House version being just good politics and the idea that this is sheer compromise, I’ll scratch your back if you scratch mine. I think the problem with Rep Haston’s explanation that this is a timing issue is that it glosses over the fact that they’ve been trying to pass these changes for years with no movement, translated: no votes. No one would vote for these changes before the voucher bill. Why? If these changes are necessary and great, which I believe they are, why have they never been supported by our GOP majority legislature til now? I was in the hearing that day when Rep Clemmons asked if they would still vote for the bill if the enticements were removed. It sounded like Haston said “I would” so I went back and watched the video and just barely discerned “I wouldn’t”. So I’m glad to know that now, but Clemmons question was, “if ANY of these items are removed, would you vote for the bill?” I have a hard time believing the senators on the conference committee will let ALL of these items remain in place given that none of them are in their version. And I have a hard time believing that the house will not compromise and pass a version that lets at least some of them go. Just some food for thought. Again, appreciate your perspective on this topic. Thanks for writing!
Hey there, homeschool parent here, opposed to the voucher bill. I recently found your blog and have appreciated your perspective. I have one thought regarding your point on the public school enticements in the House version being just good politics and the idea that this is sheer compromise, I’ll scratch your back if you scratch mine. I think the problem with Rep Haston’s explanation that this is a timing issue is that it glosses over the fact that they’ve been trying to pass these changes for years with no movement, translated: no votes. No one would vote for these changes before the voucher bill. Why? If these changes are necessary and great, which I believe they are, why have they never been supported by our GOP majority legislature til now? I was in the hearing that day when Rep Clemmons asked if they would still vote for the bill if the enticements were removed. It sounded like Haston said “I would” so I went back and watched the video and just barely discerned “I wouldn’t”. So I’m glad to know that now, but Clemmons question was, “if ANY of these items are removed, would you vote for the bill?” I have a hard time believing the senators on the conference committee will let ALL of these items remain in place given that none of them are in their version. And I have a hard time believing that the house will not compromise and pass a version that lets at least some of them go. Just some food for thought. Again, appreciate your perspective on this topic. Thanks for writing!