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LEGISLATIVE WORKSHOP

BY DON HARRIS

Here’s How the Legislature

Keeps Taking Money from K-12
Chris Thomas

Tracking how bit by bit K-12 district schools have seen e U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2002 that a voucher program,
dollars disappear, Chris omas emphasized that there is to be constitutional, must meet ve criteria. omas explained
a direct connection between school choice and the lack of that the program must have a valid secular purpose, aid must
funding for public schools. go to parents and not schools, a broad class of bene ciaries
omas, General Counsel/Associate Executive Director of must be covered, the program must be neutral with respect to
the Arizona School Boards Association, identi ed the legislative religion, and there must be adequate nonreligious options.
programs that have chipped away at school district funding at “Vouchers are legal,” omas said. “Choice is here to stay.”
the ASBA’s annual Legislative Workshop. He touched on school An e ort to pass a voucher bill in the Legislature in 1994
choice privatization programs, including tuition tax credits, lacked the votes, but the School Improvement Act passed,
vouchers and Empowerment Scholarship Accounts. sponsored by Lisa Graham Keegan. Under that measure,
“Traditional vouchers are legal under the federal omas said, charters were created and the state mandated
Establishment Clause based on parental choice,” omas said. school districts to have an open enrollment policy.
“Parents are making this determination. Government is not
choosing a private or religious school.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 24

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WINTER 2019 | THE EDGE 23