Four Days Left to Stop Federal School Voucher Bill

From PFAW:

Over the last few months, you've helped put the Radical Right's federal school-voucher agenda on the ropes. Senate leaders had to strip D.C. voucher legislation from the District of Columbia appropriations bill in order to pass it this week. But Congress' pro-voucher GOP leaders are trying to trump our grassroots efforts with more back-door legislative maneuvers. House and Senate negotiators are drafting a so-called "omnibus" bill that combines Congress' unfinished spending measures, and, as of this writing, privatization advocates have successfully inserted what would be the first-ever federally funded private-school voucher program.

Urge your U.S. Senators and Representative to reject the final omnibus bill if it includes vouchers, and ask senators to filibuster the whole bill, if necessary. Take action now.


See the talking points at the bottom of this alert.

Forward this alert to friends, family and colleagues who know that vouchers don't work and, in fact, divert attention and resources from reforms that do.

The Republican voucher strategy calls for our loudest outcry yet. Right-wing legislators in Florida, Ohio and Wisconsin enacted their voucher programs using very similar tactics. The GOP's intent is to play a game of "chicken" with voucher opponents. If the voucher language is in the final omnibus bill, your senators and representative will have to choose between stopping school voucher legislation and funding important programs in the states. Plus, the vote on the omnibus bill will be all or nothing - voucher opponents won't be allowed to offer amendments removing the voucher language.

Please call and fax your members of Congress immediately and insist that they reject the final omnibus bill if it includes school vouchers. Tell your members that voucher advocates' underhanded tactics should not be rewarded and be sure to express your support for stopping the omnibus bill with a Senate filibuster, if necessary.

TALKING POINTS - click here for more detailed background

In your calls, ask to speak with the legislative assistant for education issues. Start with the sample message below, then add one or two of the talking points.

Sample message: "I urge Sen./Rep. ______ to reject and, if necessary, support a filibuster on the omnibus spending bill if it includes school vouchers. I strongly oppose this bill because...

"There is no requirement that voucher schools hire quality teachers who, at a minimum, have a college degree."

"There is no requirement that voucher schools submit to the same requirements under the No Child Left Behind Act as public schools or even that voucher students be tested in the exact same manner as public school students."

"The legislation does not prevent voucher schools from discriminating against students based upon disability, gender, limited English proficiency and academic performance and allows religious discrimination against teachers and other staff."

"The legislation will not provide real choice to the vast majority of school children and their families, many of whom will be unable to obtain the additional funds to pay for tuition and other private-school costs that are not covered by the voucher, such as transportation, uniforms and books."

"Vouchers are opposed by many Washington, D.C. clergy, officials, public-school parent organizations and residents, with the latest poll indicating that residents oppose a voucher program by a 3-to-1 margin."

"Legislation with such far-reaching consequences must not be slipped through with little or no debate in an enormous spending bill."

TAKE ACTION




The Radical Right is making a last-ditch effort to pass a federal school-voucher program that will privatize and undermine public education.

Urge your members of Congress to reject the final omnibus spending bill if it includes school vouchers.

Fax letters to your senators and representative.

Call your senators and representative.

Sen. Richard Durbin
Phone: (202) 224-2152 or (217) 492-4062

Sen. Peter Fitzgerald
Phone: (202) 224-2854 or (217) 492-5089

Rep. Danny Davis
Phone: (202) 225-5006 or (773) 533-7520

See the talking points at the bottom of this alert.

Tell all your pro-public schools friends and urge them to call and fax the Capitol, too.






WHERE ARE THEY NOW?




A new feature on pfaw.org keeps you up to date on the legislative battles that you and other People For members are leading.

Updates are posted here every Friday.

Bookmark the page and get the latest details between e-mail alerts.