{"id":990444,"date":"2021-11-09T15:58:39","date_gmt":"2021-11-09T20:58:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=990444"},"modified":"2021-11-09T15:58:42","modified_gmt":"2021-11-09T20:58:42","slug":"gov-gretchen-whitmer-vetoes-bills-helping-low-income-families-leave-failing-public-schools","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/gov-gretchen-whitmer-vetoes-bills-helping-low-income-families-leave-failing-public-schools\/","title":{"rendered":"Gov. Gretchen Whitmer Vetoes Bills Helping Low-Income Families Leave Failing Public Schools"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">24<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fgov-gretchen-whitmer-vetoes-bills-helping-low-income-families-leave-failing-public-schools%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=990444&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><div><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Whitmer-640x335-1.jpg\" class=\"ff-og-image-inserted\" \/><\/div>\n<p class=\"subheading\">Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) vetoed Republican-sponsored school choice bills passed by both the state House and Senate that would have helped low-income families obtain scholarships they could use to leave failing neighborhood public schools.<\/p>\n<p>In her veto letter Friday, Whitmer <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlive.com\/public-interest\/2021\/11\/whitmer-vetoes-gop-scholarship-bills-dems-call-voucher-plan.html\">called<\/a> the legislation a \u201ccatastrophic failure,\u201d according to a report at mlive.com:<\/p>\n<figure id=\"D-ROS-B1\" class=\"a8d\"><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"M-ROS-B1\" class=\"a8d\"><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"gmxrevmore\" class=\"H\"><\/figure>\n<blockquote readability=\"9\">\n<p>Simply put, our schools cannot provide the high-quality education our kids deserve if we turn private schools into tax shelters for the wealthy. The movement to privatize education in this state has been a catastrophic failure, causing Michigan students to fall behind the rest of the nation.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>The legislation would have allowed Michigan students to apply for scholarships based on family income, or for a disability, or if they were in foster care.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\" readability=\"10.920863309353\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">When we divert public funds to private schools, we undermine the entire public education system. We&#8217;ve got to prioritize investing in our public schools, so every kid in America gets a fair shot. That&#8217;s why I oppose vouchers. <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Espinoza?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#Espinoza<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/JoeBiden\/status\/1220182792304308225?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">January 23, 2020<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>In ripping the legislation, Whitmer and her administration attempted to leverage perceived anti-Trump sentiment toward former Education Secretary Betsy DeVos and her family, who reside in Michigan, and have supported the bills that would have allowed individuals and businesses to obtain tax credits when they contribute to a scholarship program to help families choose alternative education settings.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"M-ROS-B2\" class=\"a8d\"><\/figure>\n<p>Whitmer and Democrats, who are backed by the teachers\u2019 unions, incorrectly framed the tax credit scholarships as \u201cvouchers,\u201d the latter of which could involve a direct transfer of public school funds to nonpublic and religious schools.<\/p>\n<p>Michigan Education Association (MEA) President Paula Herbart <a href=\"https:\/\/mea.org\/mea-president-on-latest-devos-inspired-voucher-scheme\/\">referred<\/a> to the tax credit scholarship measures as \u201cvoucher schemes\u201d that would be \u201cfunneling money to private schools,\u201d and doing \u201cnothing to provide equal opportunity for Michigan students.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf donors like Betsy DeVos want to fight again over the same tired, rejected ideas that pit students, families and communities against each other, MEA and our members will fight back once more,\u201d the teachers\u2019 union president added.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\" readability=\"7.9623824451411\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">\u201cWe value our neighborhood public schools and know that funneling money to private schools does nothing to provide equal opportunity for Michigan students.\u201d \u2013 Statement from <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/PaulaMEAPres?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@PaulaMEAPres<\/a> on DeVos-inspired voucher ballot measure: <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/kI5LgWnjjm\">https:\/\/t.co\/kI5LgWnjjm<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/MichEd?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#MichEd<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/MiLeg?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#MiLeg<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 MEA Online (@MEAOnline) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/MEAOnline\/status\/1455521073206861829?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">November 2, 2021<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Democrat lawmakers in the Michigan legislature echoed those sentiments.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"M-ROS-B3\" class=\"a8d adSo\"><\/figure>\n<p>\u201cSo, we have private donors getting tax benefits from taxpayer dollars to pay for kids to attend private or religious schools,\u201d State Sen. Dayna Polehanki (D) <a href=\"https:\/\/www.breitbart.com\/politics\/2021\/10\/19\/michigan-house-senate-pass-school-choice-bills\/\">said<\/a> in objecting to the legislation.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou know \u2026 &nbsp;that the Michigan Constitution is crystal clear on the subject of using public money for private or religious education,\u201d she added, pointing to Michigan\u2019s Blaine Amendment, which prohibits taxpayer funds from being used for nonpublic schools.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"D-ROS-B2\" class=\"a8d\"><\/figure>\n<p>School choice advocate and education researcher Corey A. DeAngelis, however, posted to Twitter that Michigan voters can \u201chelp override Governor Whitmer\u2019s vetoes by signing a petition\u201d:<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\" readability=\"10.298181818182\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Governor Whitmer sided with the teachers union monopoly at the expense of students.<\/p>\n<p>Families can fight back and sign a petition to override her vetoes.<\/p>\n<p>Sign up here to receive a petition packet:<a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/HjRLSEWxXI\">https:\/\/t.co\/HjRLSEWxXI<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Corey A. DeAngelis (@DeAngelisCorey) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/DeAngelisCorey\/status\/1457745243864977415?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">November 8, 2021<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\" readability=\"7.3285714285714\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Michigan voters can also sign the Education Freedom Pledge to support candidates who support funding students instead of systems:<a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/B0Rf7y3WzN\">https:\/\/t.co\/B0Rf7y3WzN<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Corey A. DeAngelis (@DeAngelisCorey) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/DeAngelisCorey\/status\/1457745273229283330?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">November 8, 2021<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<figure id=\"M-ROS-B4\" class=\"a8d adSo\"><\/figure>\n<p>In October, following the approval of the bills by the Michigan House and Senate, Whitmer\u2019s office referred to the legislation as a \u201cnon-starter,\u201d claiming the bills violate the Michigan constitution.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis legislation undermines that constitutional guarantee, permitting the diversion of hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars annually to private institutions,\u201d Whitmer spokesman Bobby Leddy said.&nbsp;\u201cMichiganders are tired of the attempts to force a Betsy DeVos-style voucher program that drain resources from our public schools.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>But, State Rep. Bryan Posthumus (R) said the measure would not violate the state\u2019s Blaine Amendment because the structure of the tax credit scholarship program would have the funds go into scholarships for students, instead of directly to private schools.<\/p>\n<p>Posthumus, who co-sponsored the House bill with State Rep. Phil Green (R), also observed the legislation\u2019s income eligibility requirements would enable low-income families to have the opportunity to choose the education setting best for their children, similar to wealthier families.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cFor too long here in Michigan, we\u2019ve allowed zip codes and parents\u2019 wealth to determine the educational opportunities for kids,\u201d he said. \u201cThis legislation is an opportunity to fix that.\u201d<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\" readability=\"6.7222222222222\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Education Sec. Won&#8217;t Say Parents are &#8220;Primary&#8221; Stakeholders in Children&#8217;s Education <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/SWLlXh6MGx\">pic.twitter.com\/SWLlXh6MGx<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Breitbart News (@BreitbartNews) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/BreitbartNews\/status\/1444035005546631169?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">October 1, 2021<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>States have&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.breitbart.com\/politics\/2021\/07\/13\/states-soar-school-choice-legislation-critical-race-theory-takes-hold\/\">made<\/a>&nbsp;school choice a legislative priority over the past year, which is not surprising given its popularity among American parents and families.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt is difficult to understate just how huge a year school choice has had in state legislatures across the nation,\u201d Mike McShane, director of national research at EdChoice,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/mikemcshane\/2021\/07\/12\/school-choice-keeps-winning\/?sh=542e6f236a97\">noted<\/a>&nbsp;at&nbsp;<em>Forbes<\/em>&nbsp;in July.<\/p>\n<p>A RealClear Opinion Research Poll&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.federationforchildren.org\/real-clear-opinion-research-poll-school-choice-support-soars\/?utm_source=pocket_mylist\">published<\/a>&nbsp;in April found 71 percent of voters support school choice, an outcome the American Federation for Children (AFC) says represents \u201cthe highest level of support ever recorded from major AFC national polling with a sample size above 800 voters.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>When race and ethnicity were considered as factors, voters of all cultural backgrounds overwhelmingly supported school choice.<\/p>\n<p>According to the poll, 73 percent of white Americans back school choice, as do 66 percent of black Americans, 68 percent of Hispanics, and 66 percent of Asians.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe need for education freedom is at an all-time high&nbsp;and&nbsp;it\u2019s reaffirming to see&nbsp;many state&nbsp;policymakers stepping up and supporting school choice across the country,\u201d said John Schilling, AFC president.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) vetoed Republican-sponsored school choice bills passed by both the state House and Senate that would have helped low-income families obtain scholarships they could use to &#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":40,"featured_media":2315279,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-990444","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/990444","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/40"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=990444"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/990444\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2315279"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=990444"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=990444"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=990444"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}