Democrat State Rep. Josh Turek and Democrat State Sen. Molly Donahue filed legislation last week to erode parental choice in education in Iowa last week. House File 199 and Senate File 199 would repeal the Education Savings Account program.
First, it’s worth pointing out the words used in the bill by both Turek and Donahue — Education Savings Account program.
Here is a word not used — voucher.
For years Democrats have been crying about Iowa parents being able to send their children to private schools via “vouchers.” But, surprise surprise, Democrats have been lying to Iowans.
“Vouchers” aren’t a thing here in Iowa. And their own legislation proves it. Vouchers are not the same as ESAs. But the Democrats do not care.
Education Savings Accounts have provided students an opportunity to attend private school that otherwise would not have had that opportunity. ESAs have simply provided families with a portion of the education funding for their child that could be used to cover some of the tuition cost at a private school.
Education Savings Accounts have emboldened Iowa families to not just decide what is best for them, but actually follow through with what’s best for them.
School choice is a basic pillar of parental choice in education. It should come as no surprise that Democrats are still attacking parental rights in education. Attacking parental rights in education hasn’t led to much success on Election Day. So while it may seem surprising to see Democrats continue the same attacks while expecting different results, maybe it shouldn’t be.
After all, there is a word for someone doing the same thing while expecting a different result. And it defines the Democrats well.
