Hop into the Wayback Machine, dear reader, and hearken back to 2015.
The Nevada Legislature – with a Republican majority in both houses and a “Republican” governor – passed the largest tax hike in Nevada history. Ugh.
But it also did something good. It passed a landmark school choice bill creating Education Savings Accounts (ESA).
The teachers’ unions sued. But they lost – sort of.
The court ultimately ruled that ESAs were lawful, but that the funding mechanism used by the Legislature wasn’t. So the ESA program was paused.
Fast-forward to October 2015.
Then-Gov. Sandoval called a special session in order to approve the Raiders football stadium.
Bear in mind, Republicans still controlled both houses of the Legislature.
So had Sandoval included a simple funding fix for the ESA program on his agenda, we’d have ESAs today.
But he didn’t.
A month later, Democrats regained control of the Legislature in the general election – thanks in no small part to the ginormous and foolish GOP tax hike.
And they proceeded to kill the ESA program in its crib.
Well, it’s déjà vu all over again.
Gov. Joe Lombardo has announced plans to call a special session in the next couple of months.
When he does, he’ll control the agenda and is being urged to put a tax credit proposal on the agenda to fund a major Hollywood-style film studio.
Many – conservatives, moderates, and even some liberals – think he should also include a proposal to bring back the ESA program with the funding fix.
Or at the very least, a proposal to greatly increase the funding for Opportunity Scholarships.
If Democrats vote for it, our kids win.
If they vote against it (again), that will give voters a bright, clear issue parents and taxpayers can take into the voting booth with them next year.
If Gov. Lombardo’s going to bring lawmakers back for a special session, parents across Nevada believe school choice deserves a seat at the table too.
A simple funding fix for Education Savings Accounts would reopen the door to opportunity for thousands of families who just want what’s best for their kids.
You can help make that happen.
Add your name to the growing list of Nevadans politely asking Gov. Lombardo to include school choice on the special session agenda.
Click the link below to sign the petition and help give Nevada families the freedom to choose the best education for their children.
Go to: AnnieBlack.com
