Dear MRTA Members:
There are two "voucher" like pieces of legislation being debated by the Missouri Senate. SB 32 (Emery R-31) and SB 313 (Koenig R-15). Please voice your opposition to these two bills as soon as possible.
The MRTA 2017 Legislative Platform (click here) states MRTA opposes vouchers that take scarce state revenue for public schools and puts those dollars into private institutions. It is estimated to require $50 million in state revenue to begin these two programs. It is estimated the costs will rise each year.
The two voucher bills in the Missouri Senate are:
- Senate Bill 32 (Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program) would permit any K-12 aged student to utilize a voucher.
- Senate Bill 313 (Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program) would permit special needs students and foster children to utilize a voucher.
Approximately 40% of Missouri's student population would qualify for these "vouchers."
Suggested note to your Senator. Please use your own words if you would like. THERE IS STRENGTH IN NUMBERS! Please write today!
Dear Senator XXX
I am a voter and taxpayer in your district. I am also a retired educator and member of MRTA. I am writing to ask you to oppose SB 32 and SB 313 both dealing with voucher type programs. Vouchers take much needed and scarce tax revenues away from public education. As a whole, public education is doing a great job for Missouri and needs to be supported. Thank you for your time and attention to this request. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
NAME
ADDRESS
PHONE NUMBER
Below, you will find additional materials regarding vouchers for you to share with legislators, your community, and your friends.
New York Times: Dismal Voucher Results Surprise Researchers as DeVos Era Begins