Republican-led voucher expansion could steer $2.4 billion from Florida public schools

[Nevilledog]

https://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/politics/2023/01/26/private-school-vouchers-expansion-florida-parents-house-bill-desantis/69844069007/

TALLAHASSEE – A proposed massive expansion of Florida’s private school voucher program easily cleared its first House stop Thursday, despite drawing blistering criticism that it would drain billions of dollars of needed cash from public schools used by 2.9 million students.

Analysts estimate the “universal choice” plan backed by House Speaker Paul Renner could result in Florida steering $2.4 billion to private schools from public schools as early as next year, as even more students leave.

But voucher proponents hailed the approach.

“Government education in this state and this country for too long has been a monopoly,” said Rep. Spencer Roach, R-North Fort Myers. “And the only way you break a monopoly is to inject and allow and encourage competition. And that’s what we seek to do here.”

Roach said the legislation (HB 1) gives more parents a choice.

“If you want your child to attend a government school, which I believe oftentimes results in an inferior education and condemns them to a life of government dependence, you have the option to do that,” he added. “But how dare you tell me that I have to make that decision.”

*snip*

They're willing to lie, cheat & steal to kill public education.

[Phoenix61]

1. Yes they are.

There have been numerous studies on charter schools and none of them showed they did any better than public schools. New Orleans turned their entire school system over to charter schools after Katrina and after two years it was even worse than it had been so they took it back. Those are facts DeSatan and his ilk want to ignore because they are hell bent to break all the schools from K- Phd level. I hope this bites him where the sun don’t shine. It will definitely cost him support from teachers and their union.

[sakabatou]

2. Once again, Repukes want to get rid of public education

Or make it so awful, private education is the only "good" path.

[sprinkleeninow]

3. "...proposed by Ho Speaker..."

oopsie. typo: *house* 🙄 😆

[Celerity]

4. Florida is truly becoming a dystopian nightmare

[303squadron]

5. And the religious aspect of this is.....

Those "private" schools who will now get public money through vouchers are mostly religious schools. That means that Florida taxpayers are FORCED to support religion not of their beliefs. Check your critical thinking skills at the classroom door kids, God did it!

[Takket]

6. Gee his thoughts on "government school" certainly seem fact based and clear of bias