A pair of bills to create program like private school voucher systems in South Dakota were killed in committee. While a win for the public education lobby, the fight is likely not over.
The bills both sought a similar result - the creation of education savings accounts to support families seeking a private school education with public funds.
In the House Education Committee, the debate was heated among lawmakers, lobbyists, and education advocates. As the bills were killed, Watertown Republican Rep. Josephine Garcia questioned the priorities of lawmakers.
“Last year, we saw a number of bills proposed and killed that would have provided reasonable lunches to kids that didn’t have food and couldn’t afford it," Garcia said. "We said no to making sure hungry kids had a school lunch. That was too extravagant. Today, we’re proposing to pay for their private schooling. How do we reconcile that?”
In addition, Nathan Sanderson with the state Retailers Association said it’s fiscally irresponsible to introduce this kind of program this year.
“As you’re probably aware the state budget right now is looking at a $40 million deficit just to get balanced," Sanderson said. "So, now what we have in front of us is a brand new, $4 million dollar spending program, at a year we are looking to cut $40 million. Let’s be clear, this is a brand-new spending program.”
Sen. Jim Mehlhaff is the Republican majority leader. Despite these concerns, he said the battle is not yet over for the proposal.
“I think it’s pretty clear it remains a major, top-shelf priority for Gov. Rhoden," Mehlhaff said. "He spoke about it and there will be it looks like there will be two drafts introduced. I haven’t seen them yet. I’ll be introducing them on behalf of the governor.”
Talk of resurrecting one of these proposals or introducing a new, similar bill are making rounds in the Capitol.