Saturday, September 18, 2004
Update on School Vouchers in Florida
The following message from Clint Bollick was sent to me regarding an update on the voucher situation in Florida. The note was in a different font but in honor of Dan Rather and CBS I changed it to Times New Roman.
Sept. 17, 2004
PHOENIX-We have just learned that the Florida Court of Appeals granted a
motion to reconsider its decision en banc. That means that the entire
court has decided to reconsider the previous ruling of the three judge
panel that voted 2-1 finding that the Opportunity Scholarships were
unconstitutional.
Although that does not necessarily mean the decision will be overturned,
it is a very encouraging sign and an unusual step for a court to take.
We will continue to support the Institute for Justice and our Florida
allies as the case moves forward, and we extend them our congratulations
and good luck.
# # #
Here is Governor Jeb Bush's official statement was the program was ruled unconstitutional on August 5, 2004.
"I am disappointed in Judge Davey's ruling today denying parents the right to choose where their child goes to school. For too long parents were given no choice, and were forced to leave their children in failing schools. We changed that in Florida four years ago with the Bush Brogan A+ Plan, empowering parents to improve their child's chances for success as well as giving failing schools the tools they need to turn around. Parents in Florida should not lose the power of choice.
This decision is particularly disappointing given the U.S. Supreme Court's recent decision finding Ohio's choice program constitutional. This ruling is also troubling because it suggests that the Florida Constitution requires aid programs to discriminate against parents who choose religious schools. Moreover, this decision could undermine many other vital initiatives that benefit countless Floridians, including the Florida Resident Access Grants program, the Florida Private Student Assistance Grant program, and the Bright Futures Scholarship Program. This interpretation of our state's constitution cannot be correct.
Today's ruling puts in jeopardy the education of hundreds of children in Florida. It is my hope that those children will be able to continue to attend the schools their parents have chosen.
I remain confident in the constitutionality of our Opportunity Scholarship program. We will ultimately prevail. We will appeal today's ruling and continue to fight for the rights of Florida's parents and students."
---------------
More good news! My daughter Sarah started a photography club at school and my other daughter Amy was cast in a one act play at NYU. Its very unusual for a sophomore to land a role there and she got it her first time out.
P.S. I also took some people over to the WEDJ school yesterday. What an impressive site, all these kids quietly learning in their make-shift classrooms.
PermaLink | 11:17 AM |
|
Sept. 17, 2004
PHOENIX-We have just learned that the Florida Court of Appeals granted a
motion to reconsider its decision en banc. That means that the entire
court has decided to reconsider the previous ruling of the three judge
panel that voted 2-1 finding that the Opportunity Scholarships were
unconstitutional.
Although that does not necessarily mean the decision will be overturned,
it is a very encouraging sign and an unusual step for a court to take.
We will continue to support the Institute for Justice and our Florida
allies as the case moves forward, and we extend them our congratulations
and good luck.
# # #
Here is Governor Jeb Bush's official statement was the program was ruled unconstitutional on August 5, 2004.
"I am disappointed in Judge Davey's ruling today denying parents the right to choose where their child goes to school. For too long parents were given no choice, and were forced to leave their children in failing schools. We changed that in Florida four years ago with the Bush Brogan A+ Plan, empowering parents to improve their child's chances for success as well as giving failing schools the tools they need to turn around. Parents in Florida should not lose the power of choice.
This decision is particularly disappointing given the U.S. Supreme Court's recent decision finding Ohio's choice program constitutional. This ruling is also troubling because it suggests that the Florida Constitution requires aid programs to discriminate against parents who choose religious schools. Moreover, this decision could undermine many other vital initiatives that benefit countless Floridians, including the Florida Resident Access Grants program, the Florida Private Student Assistance Grant program, and the Bright Futures Scholarship Program. This interpretation of our state's constitution cannot be correct.
Today's ruling puts in jeopardy the education of hundreds of children in Florida. It is my hope that those children will be able to continue to attend the schools their parents have chosen.
I remain confident in the constitutionality of our Opportunity Scholarship program. We will ultimately prevail. We will appeal today's ruling and continue to fight for the rights of Florida's parents and students."
---------------
More good news! My daughter Sarah started a photography club at school and my other daughter Amy was cast in a one act play at NYU. Its very unusual for a sophomore to land a role there and she got it her first time out.
P.S. I also took some people over to the WEDJ school yesterday. What an impressive site, all these kids quietly learning in their make-shift classrooms.
PermaLink | 11:17 AM |
| 
