Club for Growth school choice ads encourage Speaker Grassley to stop delaying vote on educational freedom

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The Club for Growth, a national conservative organization, is launching an ad campaign in Iowa encouraging House Speaker Pat Grassley to get his GOP colleagues on board when it comes to School Choice.

The Iowa Senate passed the Students First Act relatively early in the legislative session, but it has been stuck for weeks in the GOP-controlled Iowa House. Republicans hold a 59-41 advantage in the chamber.

“Time never stops. Minutes become hours, become days, become years. And for kids, every second counts. So why is Speaker Pat Grassley stalling? Delaying a vote on parental choice scholarships for Iowa children? The bill puts students first, letting moms and dads, not politicians and government unions, choose the right school for their kids. It’s common sense. It’s important. Tell Grassley, it’s time.”

According to the Des Moines Register, The Club for Growth is planning to run the ads on broadcast channels and Fox News in the Des Moines media market — as well as on Fox in Grassley’s House district.

The Iowa Standard has repeatedly reminded readers that school choice is a foundational issue in the Iowa Republican Party platform:

  1. We believe that parents are responsible for their children, and we support the rights of parents to be the ultimate authority for the discipline, protection, and education of their children.
  2. We believe money should follow the child in education – whether that child attends public, private, parochial or home school- to assist parents financially in educating their children using the option best suited to their family’s educational needs. We call on the General Assembly to provide for tuition vouchers, tax deductions, or tax credits to permit parents’ choice in educating their children- without government intervention in the school curriculum.

In addition, it is important to remember the Students First Act is attempting to rescue Iowa’s children in the state’s failing schools who are falling through the cracks.

Republican State Sen. Jesse Green was last week’s Legislator of the Week for his floor speech calling out House Republicans on the issue.

GOP Rep. Brent Siegrist was criticized by a constituent for holding the same position on the issue as former Democrat State Sen. Mike Gronstal.

Republican Rep. Ann Meyer campaigned in favor of school choice, but is hesitant now.

 

Author: Jacob Hall

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