State House Democrats are used to scrambling to explain why they voted “no” on the bill to save voter-approved public charter schools. First-term State Representative Patty Kuderer decided it best to pen a letter to her constituents on why she sides with special interests instead of kids:
“This is why I voted no on SB 6194. The bill will be challenged in the courts and the very real possibility of another ruling against charter schools looms large. Which means we’ll be right back here next year or the year after trying to save charter schools again…”
Kuderer provides an interesting explanation (though it’s one we’ve heard before). Rep. Larry Springer used a similar justification to explain his decision to vote “no,” blocking SB 6194 as a member of the House Education Committee. Ultimately, Springer had a change of heart – or a change in pressure from constituents – and voted for the bill.
Kuderer’s explanation, however noble it may sound, is weak. The Washington Education Association (WEA) will use its war chest to attack voter-approved public charter schools again, that’s a given no matter what bill lawmakers passed to save them. Legal experts are, however, content with the prospects of this bill.
A more likely explanation is that Kuderer, along with other Democrats, need the WEA’s financial support for their re-election campaigns. So, they voted against greater school choice and against allowing underprivileged children opportunities they would not otherwise have available.
It’s an example of the Democrats’ special interests-driven agenda. And, with an election coming up, Kuderer is trying to distance herself from it – but she’ll happily pocket the WEA’s cash.
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