South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford and the GOP-led state legislature in Columbia are expected to spend much of its effort this year on a proposed tuition-tax credit bill to expand choice and competition in education. Just goes shows to show you why elections matter.
Of course, there is significant opposition from the usual suspects fearful of change and competition, suspicious of parental choice and freedom, and defensive of their jobs and privileges. And then there’s a new pressure group just formed to fight the measure:
Rock Hill business owner Wayne Wingate has helped establish a local organization to oppose the legislation.
Wingate, whose two children are grown, said he got involved because his “blood boiled” reading about the proposed legislation. Rock Hill resident Sig Huitt and former Rock Hill school board Chairwoman Jane Peeples also are involved in the movement.
Their concerns are the tax credits will:
??Reduce state funds by decreasing the amount of taxes paid into the system.
??Cause an increase in local taxes to make up for lost state revenue for schools.
??Benefit private and religion-based schools with public money.
The group, calling itself “I Pledge Allegiance to Public Schools,” is circulating a petition opposing the bill.
So now the existing public-school monopoly is akin to a sovereign nation, to which one must pledge allegiance? What’s next, an official public-school-monopoly flag and color guard? An official anthem to mediocrity?
