School Choice (H 5790, S 0607)

The ACLU testified before the House Finance and Senate Education Committees in May, in opposition to legislation sending state money to parochial schools through a “school choice” program. As public schools statewide face ongoing budget cuts and the elimination of vital programs, such “choice” schemes serve only to starve the public schools of even more critical funding. Instead of giving up on these public schools and allowing them to crumble, the ACLU testified, the state should be ensuring all public schools are as well-funded as possible, to grant every child the free and fair education they deserve. Neither bill was voted on by committee.