Republican-led voucher expansion could steer $2.4 billion from Florida public schools [View all]

[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.