The Republicans in Alabama are not usually thought of as the guardians of minority children, the poor, and oppressed. Last week, they slipped through a bill that allows tax credits for private and religious schools. The cover story is that it is “for the children.” The reality is that it is intended to destroy public education and support privatization.
Here is the story of how it happened.
Michelle Rhee’s StudentsFirst hailed the secretive legislation.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
This was clearly the plan all along. It was almost certainly an ALEC-written bill.
Both parties seem quite capable of outrageous behavior, when given a majority in both houses. And not just in Alabama.
A recent defection of two Democrats to the Republican caucus in Washington state has created a new “Majority Caucus” and the legislation rolling out of that caucus has been distressing, to say the least. So far, nothing along the lines of Alabama, though.
When the “Majority Caucus” leader dropped a retirement benefits bill on Sunday, then pushed aside a similar but less onerous bill by a Republican “Majority Caucus” member, and had it referred to committee & heard on Monday, I was afraid we were going to see just that sort of nonsense.
But, the “Majority Caucus” replaced his bill with the Republican’s bill and then voted it through. The “Majority Caucus” Leader, Sen. Rodney Tom, got jerked up short and he deserved it.
Still, I suspect voters are going to remember the ham handed nature of the “Majority Caucus” in November of 2014. Such outrageous behavior had killed a party’s majority before.
What is happening in Legislatures today is sickening not only in Alabama but even in our Capital. Politicians are more interested in their personal funding then in their constituents. The corporations are clearly running our government now thanks to the citizens united decision.
“The corporations are clearly running our government now thanks to the citizens united decision.”
Then our government should be considered what it is, fascist.
Tax credits. What an interesting idea. Sneaky vouchers.