Voucher Backers Ramping Up for Amendment Battle in Florida Legislature
by Jim Brown
February 23, 2006
(AgapePress) - - Republicans in the Florida House and Senate are crafting language for a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow the state to retain its three programs for private school vouchers.Last month, the Florida Supreme Court ruled the state's Opportunity Scholarship Program unconstitutional. (See earlier article) The program allows children in failing public schools to attend another public or private school at taxpayers' expense. About 730 students are currently affected by the ruling. Also in jeopardy are Florida's McKay and Corporate Tax Credit Scholarship Programs.
At the time of the court's ruling, the Washington Post hinted that proponents of the Opportunity Scholarship Program might pursue other avenues for continuing its availability, such as amending the state constitution or appealing the decision to the U.S. Supreme Court. Indeed, several GOP lawmakers in Tallahassee are taking the former route. State Representative Dennis Baxley, who chairs the House Education Council, says it is an issue of parental choice -- and that Florida needs to extend that option to everyone, not just the affluent.
"We're simply trying to provide parents with the choice of options, no matter what their financial status," Baxley explains. "And the opportunity to make parental choices about education should not be restricted just to those who have the finances to go out and make an independent choice apart from the education model."
But the Ocala representative acknowledges the measure calling for a constitutional amendment faces an uphill battle.
"But it has been made a priority," he reassures. "The Senate president has spoken in favor, the speaker of the Florida House has spoken in favor publicly on this, and it will be a top priority for Republicans who control both the House and the Senate."
If approved by three-fifths of each legislative chamber, the proposed amendment could go on the November ballot. The key to getting it through the legislature and then on to the voters, says Baxley, will be hanging on to key Republican votes that he describes as "marginal when it comes to a discussion of scholarship issues."
According to Baxley, lawmakers will have the amendment bill ready before the first week of session in March.
Jim Brown, a regular contributor to AgapePress, is a reporter for American Family Radio News, which can be heard online.