Wimmer won't run voucher bill

SLTrib: Wimmer won’t run sponsor-a-student bill

Who got to him?  Madame Speaker? 

They're BAAAACK...

Is Representative Carl Wimmer's latest bill private education funding and tax credit bill actually a voucher bill in disguise? He says no...

But I think this is one of those slippery slope things that changes the game for Utah's schools. I especially hate the Representative's justification for this bill... he says it is needed so that we can help failing students and failing schools. First, show me which "failing" schools this will help... and second, why doesn't the legislature actually do something that is helpful for teachers and school children... more money into the classroom, perhaps?

Tonight, Representative Wimmer asked the Utah Amicus if we support "allowing kids to fail," and said it is "morally reprehensible to oppose legislation that helps children." To answer your question, Representative: The answer is no. We absolutely do not support allowing kids to fail, and your "spin" to characterize us as people who don't care about Utah's school children is low, indeed. The truth is, we believe that anything short of helping teachers to help kids succeed in the classroom is what really fails them.

The bottom line is that we don't like the sounds of your bill. We don't like slippery slope policies that will take money out of the pockets of kids. Period. At the Amicus, we believe that Utah needs a world class education system, not a second rate afterthought. We also believe that it is not government's job to elevate private enterprise. From the looks of it, we don't get the impression that this will help kids as much as it helps private schools with public money. You can call it a tax credit all you want, but we both know where this is going.

Here we go again..., VOUCHERS!

ABC 4 EXCLUSIVE: New Utah school voucher bill being drafted

SALT LAKE CITY ( ABC 4 News) - ABC 4 News has learned Utah is headed for another potentially bruising debate over school vouchers.

A key republican state legislator is now drafting a new bill which would create a voucher program for some Utah students.

In early 2007, the Utah legislature approved a school voucher program.

But later that same year, voters rejected it.

Now, however, the school voucher debate is back.

Under the the new voucher idea, students from failing Utah schools could be given scholarships.

These scholarships could then be used at private schools.

Rep. Carl Wimmer, the bill’s sponsor says,

“There are students who are simply falling through the cracks. Probably more than we actually care to mention."

Wimmer also says he has an interesting way to pay for this.

He wants the legislature to let individuals or businesses donate money to pay for the vouchers or scholarships.

In return, the donors would get tax credits.

Wimmer told ABC 4,

"A non-refundable tax credit is the least the state can do to help that individual donate that money."

But then Wimmer said something unexpected.

Given how high profile this voucher bill may be (and how controversial), ABC 4 wanted to know what the incoming speaker, Becky Lockhart, thought about it.

ABC 4: “Does the Speaker know what you are up to?”

Wimmer: “Not yet. She will tonight after she sees the news."

Wimmer says it may take two bills and two legislative sessions to get his scholarship plan passed.

The Utah legislature begins its 2011 session in one month.

Two Don Johns