{UAH} DEMOCRATS TRAP BLACK CHILDREN IN FAILING SCHOOLS

DEMOCRATS TRAP BLACK CHILDREN IN FAILING SCHOOLS

For Immediate Release
Contact: Frances Rice
National Black Republican Association
601 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 900-S
Washington, DC 20004
(202) 638-6940
(202) 639-8238 Fax

Washington, D.C. - On the heels of a protest rally by Democrats in Florida to shut down a privately funded program that gives school choice vouchers or "opportunity scholarships" to black parents, the liberal Florida Supreme Court ended the state-sponsored opportunity scholarship program, slamming the door in the face of black parents. The National Black Republican Association (NBRA), a Washington, DC-based group headed by Chairman Frances Rice, condemned the decision and rallied in support of black parents.

"Democrats claim to care about poor blacks," said Chairman Rice, "but their actions speak louder than words."

"Black parents by an overwhelming majority favor opportunity scholarships," Chairman Rice said. "Democrats, though, are opposed to this scholarship program and want to reward their special interest group, the teachers' union. The war is between Democrats, who defend the miserable status quo, and black parents, who oppose sacrificing their children on the altar of the teachers' union. The NBRA is on the side of the parents."

The liberal Florida Supreme Court, with five majority registered Democratic justices and two registered Republicans, struck a blow against black parents with its recent decision that declared the statewide opportunity scholarship program unconstitutional because public money is diverted to private schools. But this faulty rationale flies in the face of reality, Chairman Rice pointed out. She noted that the two dissenting Republicans on the Florida Supreme Court and the First District Court of Appeal stated, "Nothing in Article IX, Section1 clearly prohibits the Legislature from allowing the well-delineated use of public funds for private school education, particularly in circumstances where the Legislature finds such use necessary."

Indeed, this decision by the liberal Florida Supreme Court marks the first time that court has struck down an educational program solely because private schools participate equally in the program. Historically, the Florida Legislature has funded private education for a variety of special services, including tutoring and education for troubled, disabled and exceptional students.

"It is absolutely atrocious that the Florida Supreme Court struck down this voucher program," said Andre Cadogan, an NBRA officer. "This initiative by Governor Jeb Bush helps our community. This Florida Supreme Court decision significantly harms our children's education"

"Ignored by the Florida Supreme Court is the fact that the money belongs to the people, not the buildings," said Chairman Rice. "The money should go where the people go, by choice. When you strip away the legal rhetoric," Rice went on to say, "the real issue is accountability."

Democrats want to reward the teachers' union with money, but not hold them accountable for black children being trapped in failed public schools. Nearly 60 percent of black children drop out because public schools are failing to educate them, even though plenty of money is going into the public school system.

According to public records, nearly $100 billion has been provided to public education in the state of Florida, increasing funding by $1,563 per student in the last seven years. The decision by the liberal Florida Supreme Court seems incredibly mean-spirited, since there are only 733 students in the opportunity scholarship program of the 2.4 million students in the public school system.

Now, those 733 students, 64 percent black Americans and 30 percent Hispanic, must return to their failed government schools. That is, unless the Florida Legislature controlled by Republicans can enact legislative fixes or amend the Florida Constitution once again to enable the Legislature to fund all educational programs.

"The NBRA supports the actions by the Florida Legislature to undo the disastrous decision by the liberal Florida Supreme Court," stated Chairman Rice.

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