School vouchers not likely to pass, leaders say

Three prominent House Republicans on Monday cast doubt on the likelihood that Georgia will create the nation’s first statewide school voucher program.

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Reps. Ed Lindsey (R-Atlanta), Frank Millar (R-Dunwoody) and Howard Maxwell (R-Dallas) told a gathering of the Georgia Association of Educators that the controversial measure faces serious obstacles.

And Lindsey, the vice chairman of the budget-writing Appropriations Committee, told more than 200 educators he isn’t crazy about the idea.

“I do have great concern about a broad-based voucher bill just from simple numbers,” Lindsey said.

Sen. Eric Johnson (R-Savannah) has legislation pending in the Senate that would offer parents state tax dollars to send their children to private school or to another public school. Senate Bill 90 is set to be debated on the Senate floor, possibly this week. A similar version was approved by the full Senate last year but died in the House in the waning days of the 2008 session.

Vouchers are one of the most controversial topics in education policy. Supporters say they offer parents a choice of schools and bring free market forces to bear on public education, forcing public schools to improve through competition. Opponents say vouchers take much-needed money away from public schools. They also worry that only wealthy parents would benefit because the bill in many cases, would not cover the full cost of private school tuition.

Several municipalities across the country have voucher programs, but no state has what Johnson envisions.

Lindsey, Millar and Maxwell spoke at the GAE’s annual legislative issues forum at the Capitol. They were joined by House Minority Leader DuBose Porter (D-Dublin) and Minority Whip Carolyn Hugley (D-Columbus), who, like most Democrats, oppose vouchers.

While Lindsey was the only Republican to criticize the legislation, Millar and Maxwell raised doubts about the bill’s prospects in the House — assuming it makes it out of the Senate.

Millar, vice chairman of the House Education Committee, recalled that the House adopted legislation that created a voucher system for disabled students. That bill, he said, passed with 91 votes, the minimum necessary, in a much better economic climate.

“Do I think vouchers are going to pass in the House this year, in this economy?” Millar said. “I would be very, very surprised.”

Maxwell wouldn’t predict if SB 90 would pass, but he said he isn’t sure it would help those its sponsors say they want to assist.

Not enough lower-income families, he said, could afford the difference between of the voucher and tuition.

That echoes the concerns of Jeff Hubbard, president of the GAE.

“Vouchers are irresponsible funding with no proven effect,” he said.