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March 10, 2005

Manufacturing a 'grassroots' movement

Last week we suggested that the voucher lobby was becoming unhinged as its sweeping tuition tax credit plan sputters in South Carolina. It may have been an understatement. Now comes word that the executive director (now former executive director) of a group leading the charge sent several bogus letters to the editor of a state newspaper advocating the backdoor voucher plan. He signed the letters using a fake name. The punch line? The group he headed is called South Carolinians for Responsible Government.

The same group is under fire from Republicans for tattling to national political action committees on state lawmakers who have the nerve to oppose the tuition tax credit plan. The tactic has not been well received, reports The State. "They lose their legitimacy when they do things like that," state Rep. Dan Cooper said. The letter specifically singled out a Republican lawmaker—and former school board member—from Richland, who offered this prized comment: "In my district, if my biggest fault is that I'm an outspoken advocate of public education," said Rep. Bill Cotty, "I can tell you what you can call me—re-elected."

We also recently reported that the Utah Legislature rejected a tuition tax credit plan for the fifth consecutive year. What they did not reject however, was a small-scale (at least for now) voucher program for children with disabilities—somewhat similar to Florida's program. Education Week has a roundup on it. And while they rightly suggest that former Gov. Olene Walker paid a price for vetoing the legislation last year, they left out an interesting detail. True that she did not receive her party's nomination during the state caucus, but one can't plausibly suggest that the state's voters held it against her: She left office with an approval rating hovering around 80 percent. The Deseret Morning News has more on the special education voucher bill with some post-session drama: The public schools' special education budget took a hit for roughly the same amount expected to cover the school vouchers. Shouldn't be a surprise. That's how voucher programs operate. But the state department of education appears to be working for a restoration of funds. Stay tuned.

Posted March 10, 2005 12:00 AM