New school voucher amendment is unveiled (Jeb Alert!)

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New school voucher amendment is unveiled

A constitutional amendment that would preserve private school vouchers was approved by a Senate panel.


BY GARY FINEOUT
[e-mail]

TALLAHASSEE - Any child in Florida could be eligible to receive a private school voucher paid for by taxpayers under a wide-reaching constitutional amendment that also would require school districts to spend at least 65 percent of all money they receive in the classroom.

Nearly three months after the Florida Supreme Court struck down the statewide voucher program as unconstitutional, Gov. Jeb Bush and top Republican legislators have unveiled their plan to keep vouchers alive and avoid future lawsuits. The measure cleared a Senate committee on Wednesday on a 5-3 party-line vote, with Democrats unified in opposition.

GUARANTEED VOUCHERS

If approved by both the House and Senate, voters would be asked to approve an amendment that would guarantee vouchers to disabled students, low-income students and any child whose ''parents request alternatives to traditional public education.'' The amendment also would allow the state to send money to religious schools, even though another part of the state Constitution bars aid to religious institutions.

Sen. Daniel Webster, a Winter Garden Republican and sponsor of the measure, acknowledged the amendment is ''broad,'' but said it was needed to ensure that other programs such as the state's fledgling pre-K program, which also utilizes private schools, don't fall victim to legal challenges.

''We think no matter where you go, as long as it's high quality, it's good,'' Webster said.


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http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/14218891.htm