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2016 SESSION

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(HB389)

GOVERNOR'S VETO

 

    Pursuant to Article V, Section 6, of the Constitution of Virginia, I veto House Bill 389, which would remove state funds from our public school systems and redirect those funds to Parental Choice Education Savings Accounts to pay for educational services outside the public school system.

 

    First and foremost, there are significant constitutional concerns with this legislation. The approved expenses as outlined in the bill include tuition at private sectarian institutions, bringing the legislation into direct conflict with Article VIII, Section 10, of the Virginia Constitution, which authorizes the use of public funds only for public and nonsectarian private schools.

 

    While the bill would divert much-needed resources away from public schools, operating costs would not be significantly lowered due to the continued need for teachers, buses, and other administrative supports upon which public school students rely. Additionally, the funds withdrawn from the public system bear no relationship to the needs of the particular student or the cost of the additional support services he or she would require, because the amount received will vary based on the local composite index of the home division.

 

    This bill raises constitutional questions, diverts funds from public schools, and creates an unfair system. Our goal is to support and improve public education across the Commonwealth for all students, not to codify inequality.

 

    Accordingly, I veto this bill.