Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania’s support has raised Pennsylvania’s profile in the national voucher debate and given advocates optimism that the program will eventually become law.
FILE - Pennsylvania's Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro speaks at the state Capitol, Jan. 17, 2023, in Harrisburg, Pa. Shapiro a first-term Democrat seen by his party as a rising star nationally gave his backing to a Republican-backed school voucher proposal over the summer. School choice advocates say that makes Shapiro unique among Democratic governors and could mark an evolution in traditional alliances on school choice politics.
Vouchers have long been viewed in stark partisan terms: Democrats and public school allies say they drain critical resources from public schools. Republicans and school choice advocates say they give freedom to families who may not like their local public schools. “I see that he understands the political value of school choice, and I thought, ‘My goodness, he’s going to pave his way to the White House by embracing this particular issue,’” said Matthew Brouillette, a prominent voucher advocate in Pennsylvania.
The division reflects similar polls over the past two decades — but support drops when people are told vouchers siphon money from public schools. Yass’ campaign donations in Pennsylvania filter through groups that put $13 million into supporting a would-be Republican rival to Shapiro who nonetheless lost in last year's GOP primary. Yass did not ultimately support the GOP nominee whom Shapiro beat.
Still, as governor, Shapiro didn't talk about vouchers until June, while in the midst of intense closed-door budget talks. During an appearance on Fox News, he was asked about the voucher proposal and said “every child of God deserves a shot." Within days, Shapiro had struck a budget agreement with Senate Republicans that included the $100 million voucher program — blindsiding Democratic lawmakers, teachers' unions, public school advocates and school boards.
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Pennsylvania's Democratic governor, a rising political star, crosses partisan school choice divideDemocratic Gov. Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania’s support has raised Pennsylvania’s profile in the national voucher debate and given advocates optimism that the program will eventually become law
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Pennsylvania's Democratic governor, a rising political star, crosses partisan school choice divideDemocratic Gov. Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania’s support has raised Pennsylvania’s profile in the national voucher debate and given advocates optimism that the program will eventually become law. He put his weight behind a $100 million Republican-backed private-school voucher proposal over the summer, before backing off amid opposition by House Democrats. His stance was unusual among governors. In the partisan politics of education funding, the “school choice” movement had long had to concentrate its efforts on states where a Republican governor was an ally. Previously, other Democratic governors who had backed school choice measures had done so in compromise deals with Republican-controlled legislatures. Shapiro has helped put vouchers at the forefront of the state’s political agenda.
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Pennsylvania's Democratic governor, a rising political star, crosses partisan school choice divideDemocratic Gov. Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania’s support has raised Pennsylvania’s profile in the national voucher debate and given advocates optimism that the program will eventually become law
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Pennsylvania's Democratic governor, a rising political star, crosses partisan school choice divideDemocratic Gov. Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania’s support has raised Pennsylvania’s profile in the national voucher debate and given advocates optimism that the program will eventually become law
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