Lawmakers fail on voucher accountability bill

[DoYouEverWonder]

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/content/auto/epaper/editions/saturday/news_04390244539390e700f8.html


Saturday, May 1, 2004

TALLAHASSEE -- Private and religious schools will continue to take tens of millions of taxpayer dollars next year with little to no state oversight after lawmakers failed Friday to pass a voucher accountability bill.

The lack of legislation means home-based schools will continue to take McKay vouchers, which are for disabled students; voucher students won't have to take standardized tests; and no one will legally be able take vouchers away from schools that misuse tax dollars.

Also, the groups responsible for doling out up to $88 million in corporate tax credit vouchers will continue to have no state fiscal monitoring besides an annual audit performed by accountants hired by the groups themselves.

While the Department of Education has tried to clamp down on some voucher schools and Scholarship Funding Organizations, without a law to back up their rulings, its decisions could be legally challenged.



Welcome to Jeb's world, where empty government buildings and no accountability is becoming a reality.