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Tuesday, April 1, 2014

John Romano: The House's hypocrisy on school vouchers — accountability | Tampa Bay Times

John Romano: The House's hypocrisy on school vouchers — accountability | Tampa Bay Times:



John Romano: The House's hypocrisy on school vouchers — accountability

Give them credit, your representatives in the state House. They don't know the meaning of the word "quit."


They also don't seem to know the meaning of shame. Or hypocrisy. Or fairness. Or equality.
Yes, after the state Senate was ambivalent about radically expanding the school voucher system, the House simply repackaged the same idea with a new sales pitch.
And — surprise! — failed to address the gigantic flaw.
Before going any further, let's once again acknowledge there are valid reasons to support the concept of school vouchers. The tax credit scholarship program diverts public funds to low-income families so their children can attend private schools.
In theory, this is a commendable attempt to break the cycle of poverty. In practice, it falls short.
Why?
Because, after more than a decade of micromanaging public schools to ensure uniform accountability across the state, legislators are zealously pushing an agenda to hand over your tax dollars to private schools that are completely immune to accountability.
Is this fair? No.
Is it logical? No.
Is it an example of fiduciary responsibility from the most conservative members of your state Legislature? Heck no.
Supporters of vouchers will point out that scholarship students at private schools have been taking a 

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