A voucher initiative in Nevada was found by a court there to be an “unfunded mandate” and therefore not allowed to proceed.
More on this victory against vouchers from Educate Nevada Now:
The decision halted a statutory initiative that would have created an expansive, unaccountable voucher scheme that would have been funded by Nevada taxpayers.
“We are glad the judge was able to see these efforts for what they are, deceptive and a huge cost to the state without acknowledgement of the impact on schools and state budgets,” said Beverly Rogers. “We can’t go on pretending private school vouchers are not harmful and detrimental to public schools, their students and the community.”
In the current case, Rogers v. Cegavske, Judge Charles McGee held that the initiative could not proceed because it contained an unfunded mandate, stating the initiative contained the same “sleight of hand” as the constitutional initiative because it failed to identify a funding source or tax to support the scheme.
MORE on this win for public education>
Tennessee Advocates Challenge Adequacy of New Funding Plan (TISA)
In response to the legislation, advocates with the Southern Christian Coalition suggested the plan does not meet its stated goals and even noted analysis suggesting the formula will mean a smaller percentage of state funds for 91 school districts (roughly 2/3).
“I call on our Legislature to adequately fund our public schools, and to invest in and care for the children of Tennessee, knowing that they are each made in the image of God,” said Rev. Laura Becker, Pastor of Northminster Presbyterian Church in Chattanooga, and mother of one current student and one graduate of Hamilton County Schools. “All Tennessee students deserve the right to high quality and fully funded education that prepares them to achieve their full potential and successfully contribute to our communities and to our state. Unfortunately, Governor Lee’s proposed education funding plan called TISA doesn’t provide the funding necessary to address our teacher shortage, ensure students with special needs get the care they need, or ensure that every school has the resources they need to provide every child a quality education, so I call for a more just and equitable funding program.”
An in-depth analysis of the reality of TISA funding also shows the plan comes up short in key areas – most notably hiring teachers and teacher compensation. Without significant investment on both fronts, it is unlikely the plan will move the needle relative to the stated goal of improved student achievement outcomes.
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