A West Virginia state senator urged Mississippi Republicans to pass expanded school-choice measures, saying in an op-ed published by Magnolia Tribune that the policy is both sound education policy and a political winner for Republicans.
The senator pointed to West Virginia’s Hope Scholarship as an example, saying the program allows families to use a portion of education funding for private school tuition, tutoring, homeschool expenses or other approved learning options. The senator described the scholarship as one of the most expansive programs in the country and said it was designed to give parents more control over their children’s education.
The lawmaker wrote that unions targeted the effort and spent more than $2 million in an attempt to defeat the senator in a subsequent election, but that voters re-elected the lawmaker. The senator also contended that national and state polling show that the loudest voices in the school-choice debate do not always represent the majority.
Arguing that school choice builds political support as families use and defend the programs, the senator encouraged Republicans to expand eligibility where budgets allow. The lawmaker wrote that Republicans who back school choice have continued to win primary and general elections and urged caution against overstating political risk.
In the op-ed, the senator thanked House Speaker Jason White and 61 state representatives who supported school-choice measures and called on Mississippi Republicans to act, saying passage would reward leaders who expand opportunities for families, according to Magnolia Tribune.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
