I’m starting a regular series of blog posts from now until the vote on Referendum 1 November 6th, and it is specifically designed to show you the lies that are being spread about Referendum 1 and Utah Vouchers.
Myth No. 1 For each child that uses a voucher, the state will lose $3k from it’s budget for public schools.
Fact: $3k is the MAXIMUM per child scholarship that can be used as a voucher. The entire per-student voucher spending is based on the income of the parent(s) and is compared against Federal Guidelines called Reduced Lunch Income Guidelines. In Utah that means if you make less than $43,290 per year, you qualify for a $3k per year voucher for your student. The more money you make, the less money you get for a voucher on down to $500 per year.
I don’t know many people making $43,290 a year who can pay $10k a year to send their kid to a private school. If you make more than $119,048 per year or more than you only qualify for $500 per year, but let’s be serious, which group do you think is really sending their kid to private school? $3k per student? I don’t think so. (Read Referendum 1)
10 comments ↓
Thanks for the good post Russ.
Even if the amount were $3,000 per student, a full $4,500 would be left to the school system to teach a student who is not there. That translates to higher per student funding.
You’d think the teacher’s unions would be all over that, wouldn’t you?
First Jordy, my sister is a public school teacher and has said she has had no pressure from any union or other teachers to vote for or against the referendum. Unions in Utah are not close to as strong as other states in any sector really (good thing). Additionally, the pro-voucher side has spent considerably more money than those opposing so the opposition can’t be said to be burying this like I have heard recently.
Russ, in your last sentence you say “but let’s be serious, which group do you think is really sending their kid to private school?”. Are there any numbers to say what the median voucher amount will be? Like are we talking 2500 on average or less? I think knowing this would help the discussion.
I did read the entire referendum by the way, top to bottom.
Additionally, the pro-voucher side has spent considerably more money than those opposing…
Source, please? I’d like to see this.
Are there any numbers to say what the median voucher amount will be?
I’m not sure that can be approximated. It highly depends on the personal preference of each parent, their economic situation, and the decision they end up making. Short of waiting to see how it all works out, I don’t think any estimations will be close regarding how many parents will use vouchers, and what the median amount will be.
http://deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695223402,00.html
Front headline of the Desnews.
I know it would be tough to approximate what the median voucher size would be, but there has to be some kind of numbers as to the average household income of parents who send their children to private school right now in Utah. At least you then have a starting point.
Front headline of the Desnews.
Thanks. Very interesting. I’m ashamed at how much propaganda is coming from both sides. I laugh at the mailers I receive, boiling down the issue to a couple bullet points in hopes of swaying somebody to their side. Meh.
It’s the American way Connor, legislation on the back of a cereal box. Hmmm, they should do a Honey Comb crossword puzzle, that would be fun.
This could easily fit on the back of a cereal box. Our nation was founded on individual and religious liberty. Government has no business denying parents free choice in selecting the education that best meets the needs of every individual child.
[...] ← Utah Vouchers: Myths from the opposition [...]
I love reading the comments on this debate. Keep it up guys I love the entertainment
Oh and in all seriousness - VOTE FOR 1!!!!
[...] is a continuation of the Myths from the Opposition [...]
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