May 7, 1999

        New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson’s proposed choice legislation was introduced in bill form Tuesday. The plan calls for a phase in over 12 years of vouchers worth about $3,100 dollars a piece. Beginning in 2000 the proposed plan would provide choice to 41,000 poor students. Governor Johnson’s "Damn the polls—I plan to move them" attitude indeed has worked, and polls show that parents dissatisfied with the public schools are leaning in his direction—let’s just hope the lawmakers can see the forest for the trees.

        Even with the passage of the voucher bill in Florida, opponents are still crying to anyone who will listen—claiming how unfair it is. The Florida Coalition for Public Schools is spouting thoughtless gibberish about the constitutionality of the law, possibly trying to open the doors for a lawsuit. However, states Representative Beryl Robert of Miami, "The real unfairness is for a parent to send a child to school only to find out he can’t read and write."

        Despite the ongoing feud between the two Rudys in New York, charter applications, in this newest charter state, keep rolling in.

        In wrapping up charter issues across the country: Arkansas has improved their charter legislation by the creation of open enrollment charter schools and the conversion of public schools to charter: Ohio charter school laws improved despite attempts to weaken it and expanded the number of districts authorized for start-ups. Oregon may still see charter legislation in this session, the Senate concurring with the House. The Governor has not weighed in on whether he will veto the measure or not. Indiana will not see charter legislation this year, having voted down a proposed bill. Hawaii is also making strides to improve their charter schools by making it possible for more people to start charters.

        Mark your calendars for "Content and Character in the Classroom" on July 30^th & 31^st, a conference co-sponsored by CER and the Link Institute. Information on speakers and presentations will be on the Center's Website at www.edreform.com.

        Thank you for checking into the Center for Education Reform’s weekly hot-line. For more information contact the center directly at 1-800-521-2118. Have a great week.