Legislative leadership has greased every wheel on the Voucher Train sending it hurling through the first two weeks of the legislative session. The greased wheels and the train itself are designed to thwart any referendum from the public or any veto from the Governor. A 2/3 passage in both houses prevents any option whatsoever to stop this $42 million distribution of our tax dollars to private and home school students.

Here is what HB 215 will do: 1) Send much-needed education dollars to private schools and for home schooling with little accountability, 2) That per pupil amount will be nearly double the weighted pupil unit, the state allocated amount for each student in public school, 3) The private school can be a religious school with religious instruction even though the Utah Constitution reads “…there shall be no union of Church and State…”

This is NOT a scholarship for low income families who likely cannot pay the additional cost to attend a private school. Vouchers have not resulted in improved student outcomes in many states such as Louisiana, Arizona, Wisconsin and others.

Even worse than the obvious intent and speed of this legislation, legislative leadership and the sponsor have forced a corrupt marriage with vouchers and a salary raise for teachers. Without question, vouchers should stand on their own. After years of inadequate salaries and Herculean efforts during the pandemic, this is an insult to our dedicated educators.

This will likely pass and neither the citizens nor the Governor will have any recourse. This will be the biggest legislative injustice I have ever witnessed in Utah.

JoAnn Hanson

North Salt Lake

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