Listening to educators and the state school board, Governor Gary Herbert vetoed a voucher program for students with special needs.
Critics pointed out that the state has had a. Oh her program for students with special needs for 15 years and doesn’t need another one. They also noted that Utah had a state referendum in 2007, and the public voted overwhelmingly against vouchers.
The voucher advocates always begin their campaign by seeking vouchers for children with special needs, even though private schools receiving vouchers are exempt from the federal protections for these students. In this case, Utah has long had such a program. But in other states, such as Florida and Arizona, ouches for students with disabilities is the prelude to many more requests, each targeted to a new group. The ultimate goal is universal vouchers, with no limitations. The size of the voucher is always far less than the tuition at high-quality private schools, but a much-welcome subsidy for those already enrolled in religious schools.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
Wow. This voucher program was so quiet that I hadn’t even heard about it until this article. I’m stunned that I heard nothing about it from the news or the unions. Glad it was vetoed.
Respect grows for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints as its religious individuals act on an understanding of American democracy.
As a minority religion in the nation, the theocracy of Evangelicals and Catholics Together will pose a threat to minority churches and to individual rights.
The Church is extremely supportive of American democracy. We know, as a minority religion, that we would be steamrolled without the protections the Constitution provides.
TOW-
If the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints could reevaluate its inclusion in the Espinosa amicus brief and publicly distance itself, it would be consistent with the vote of Utah citizens in 2007.
Way to go governor Herbert! Looks like the legislature tried to pass a sneak attack again. Thanks UEA for having our backs. I am sure the efforts we have made with the governor have paid off.
I agree with you on this one. The Legislature has been after we Utah teachers ever since the voucher vote in 2007.
The next governor is a crucial choice. I’m worried it will be Huntsman again. He’s the one who signed vouchers the first time, and he’s only gotten more right wing since then.
and the movement to go even further right is growing: no school at all for kids who don’t fit certain criteria
People in Florida also rejected vouchers, but Florida has vouchers anyway because politicians came up with a scholarship scheme that was first introduced for poor students. Now the eligibility for the scholarships has been expanded to include most students. Rich people use the scholarship as a tax avoidance strategy. Nobody seems to care that most people in the state don’t want them.
The voucher schools in Florida are a bad joke that offer inferior education and u certified teachers. No accountability for them! Voucher schools, awful as they are, divert $1 billion every year from public schools. $2 billion are diverted by Florida’s charters.