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Show Eebuttal to Arguments Fcr Arguments For Initiative C This initiative could be called "The Public Education Survival Act, because it was designed to provide greater potential for helping the public education system than for helping private education. Initiative C is unconstitutional because it violates an that government important provision in the U.S. Constitution should not act to promote religion. In fact, a New York law very similar to Initiative C was declared unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court in Committee for Public Education and Religious Liberty v. Nyquist, 413 U.S. 756 (1973). It is no use wasting money to defend a law that has already been shown to be unconstitutional! APPROVAL OF THIS ACT WOULD: (1) Provide a $600 to $ 700 tax credit to parents who send a child to private school. This is not an additional education cost but is taken out of the much larger amount that would otherwise be spent on the childs public education. Initiative C also provides a cash payment if a parent has more of a credit than taxes due, allowing the state to give cash subsidies to some parents for sending their children to private or home schools. (2) Release for the possible use of public education all funds except the tax credit that would have been spent on the childs public education. This saving amounts to between $1500 and $1600 per child per year. As chairman of the Senate Education Appropriations Subcommittee, recognize the need to allow greater flexibility and choice in education. But Initiative C is not reasonable! Supporters claim it will not reduce education funding. They hope that enough students will choose to leave the schools to make up for the losses incurred from the tax credit. In fact, most of our school districts cannot reduce fixed expenditures utilities, maintenance, or even teachers in some of our rural if students leave. Yet they would have less money for districts schools if this passes. Encourage enrollment in private schools which would: (a) reduce pressure on the public education system; (b) lower the average class size; (c) provide almost $40 million additional dollars a year in funds that could be used for public education (if Utah reached only half the national average in private school enrollment); (d) provide lower income parents the opportunity to choose the kind of education their child needs; and (e) introduce a small amount of healthy competition into Utah education. (3) Y H THE COSTS OF PASSING THE ACT: The costs of passing the act are estimated to be $3.1 million dollars. But what is seldom mentioned is that for each of the 5,300 children currently enrolled in private school the taxpayers are already saving $1500. If, as a result of this act, another 3,500 costs students move to private schools, the $3.1 million start-uwill be paid for and future private school enrollment would start r !l generating education. S Education is important to me, just as it is to you. We have developed a fine educational system that already faces great challenges. If we need to make changes to education, lets do it right. If you don't want education to suffer, vote AGAINST Initiative C! funds that could be used to support public Senator Haven J. Barlow P.O. Box 626 Layton, Utah 84041 DISCUSSION: Utah has the lowest percentage of private school enrollThe national average is close ment in the nation, a little over to 13. 1. The tax credit would be paid only to parents who enroll their child in a school which allows that child to fulfdl the states compulsory school attendance law." This act would not permit funds to be used for books or instructional material of a religious nature, transportation to "extracurricular activities or driver education. By giving parents increased choice in selecting the school their children attend, the act encourages greater commitment on the part of families and brings more accountability to the public education system. t j Rich parents have always had the opportunity to send their children to private schools. This act will allow less parents to consider that option when they have a need. To those whose income is so low they have no tax obligation a tax refund J will be given. Choice in education is one of the real education reforms wiU benefit all students. With the passage is act Utahns have the opportunity to be leaders in real education reform in the United States. that Vote FOR Initiative C. 4 it. Page 30 - Senator Bill Barton 3940 West 4100 South West Valley City, Utah 84120 ,rrr r |