DENVER (March 24, 2015) – Today the Colorado State Senate considered Senate Bill 15-045, a bill that would allow for Colorado families who choose private school for their children to receive a tax credit for doing so. The teacher-union-sympathetic Democrats, led by Sen. Mike Merrifield (D-Manitou Springs), argued that a “tax credit” is tantamount to a voucher while opposing the bill. Merrifield in the past has suggested that supporters of school choice deserve a “special place in hell.”
Democrat’s arguments exposed a revealing difference between the philosophies of the proponents and opponents of the idea. If a family uses their own resources to make better choices for their children, Democrats won’t consider allowing those families the ability to keep a portion of their own income to offset that additional cost.
“For a group of people who are constantly advocating for more spending on education, Senate Democrats sent the message today to Colorado families that the only educational spending that really matters to them is that by government,” said Kelly Maher, executive director of Compass Colorado.
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Democrat’s arguments exposed a revealing difference between the philosophies of the proponents and opponents of the idea. If a family uses their own resources to make better choices for their children, Democrats won’t consider allowing those families the ability to keep a portion of their own income to offset that additional cost.
“For a group of people who are constantly advocating for more spending on education, Senate Democrats sent the message today to Colorado families that the only educational spending that really matters to them is that by government,” said Kelly Maher, executive director of Compass Colorado.
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