Wednesday, January 25, 2017

Sen. Dossett introduces anti-choice legislation

A bill filed by Democrat state Sen. J.J. Dossett of Sperry "prioritizes ideological purity over pragmatism, embodies self-contradiction, and could have ripple effects far beyond what even Dossett likely intends," The Oklahoman editorializes today.
The legislation declares that “no state-appropriated funds shall be allocated to, transferred to or used, directly or indirectly, to support a private school that serves pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade students.” 
In short, it's an effort to make it illegal to provide Oklahoma parents with education savings accounts that allow for the use of state funds to send their children to the school of their choice. 
Like many Democrats, Dossett, a former teacher/coach, opposes parental control and school choice in education for ideological reasons. Yet his bill immediately undermines that viewpoint by providing an exemption for the Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarships for Students with Disabilities Program Act. That program allows families to use taxpayer dollars to send children with special needs, such as autism, to private schools. 
Why make an exception? The likely answer: Because the Lindsey Nicole Henry program is wildly popular and an undoubted success. 
Read the whole thing here.

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