
McAuliffe Rejects Helping Low-Income and Special Needs Kids
Hamilton, VA – Delegate Dave LaRock responded
to Governor Terry McAuliffe’s veto of House Bill 1605, a bill passed by the House and Senate
that would establish Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) for special needs and low-income
students.
LaRock stated, “I’m disappointed that Governor McAuliffe would turn his
back to children whose educational needs are not being met in the public school
setting. Constituents have told me how public schools are failing to meet the
federally mandated requirements of their child’s Individualized Education Plan
(IEP). Wealthy families already have school choice, but this bill would have
expanded that freedom and opportunity to thousands of vulnerable kids.”
Education Savings Accounts are a
proven example of problem solving through smart innovation, not endless
appropriations. Over 1.1 million children in Arizona, Florida, Mississippi,
Tennessee, and Nevada are eligible for Education Savings Accounts. This school
year, over 11,000 students are using the accounts. American and Virginia voters
overwhelmingly support school choice programs for good reason. This is the third year that
LaRock’s ESA legislation was killed by statewide Democrats: Lieutenant Governor
Northam defeated HB 2238 in the 2015 session, and McAuliffe vetoed HB 389 in 2016.
“The Governor’s veto exemplifies why
so many citizens are fed up with politicians: instead of embracing a
common-sense solution that helps people in need, saves taxpayer money, and
improves educational outcomes for all students, the Governor does what his
special-interest supporters tell him to do. This is the third year in a row
that McAuliffe and Northam have yielded to the education establishment, rather than listen to the
struggles and concerns of ordinary Virginians desperate for better education
options. Virginia deserves better. It’s time to give the people of
Virginia what they are asking for, more education freedom through Education
Savings Accounts. I look forward to working with a Republican governor to make
education opportunity accessible to all,” LaRock added.
Del. LaRock with supporters of School Choice at his Richmond office during the 2017 session.