Two bills passed out of committee this week dealing with education. One is telling us what to do and another is taking resources away from our students. Both show the goals and true nature of their authors and supporters.
First, HB 2949 failed on a committee vote of 8-7. This would establish Education Savings Accounts ESAs, vouchers. However the legislature rules (this is the case is most legislatures by the way) give the speaker of the house and the speaker pro temp of the house a vote in all committees. They used their votes in this committee to sway the vote to 9-8 in favor of passage. The Tulsa World story reported that Rep. Jason Nelson was unable to show how much this program would cost. I guess that's that fiscal responsibility and belt tightening budgeting we keep hearing so much about. Read about the bill and vote here, and a solid analysis here.
The convoluted nature of their process should, at the very least, arouse suspicion. Why can't they just tell us what they want to do? Why so sneaky? There is no evidence anywhere showing where vouchers, by any other name, help any significant number of students and families. I'll refer to the wise words below to sum this argument up.
Next HB 2797 would require schools to incorporate anti-abortion education into their curriculum. Not going to debate the topic itself too much but, the idea of mandating the teaching opposing something that is legal is complicated. It happens a lot (anti-smoking, anti-drinking, anti-gambling). And I get the emotions attached to this topic, which leads me to one possible solution… Teach your kids your views and train them how you think they should be trained on this issue. But don't withhold information from them.
And afford everyone else the same courtesy.
Also, just as a thought, everyone okay with doing the same type of anti-gun ownership curriculum? I mean owning guns leads to murder and the taking of life and anything we can do to minimize the taking of life should be explored.
Speaking of leading to things, the bills intended goal is to create an abortion free society. Okay. I don't think there are a lot of people that would disagree with that being a positive world. Because aside from the traumatic circumstance (regardless of situation) being eliminated, that would mean we've reached gender equality, found cures or preventative cares for dozens of birth defects and pregnancy complications (many of which could prove fatal to one or both parties), we've ended most all sexual assault, and ended all unwanted pregnancies. All of these are reasons for abortions occurring. Most of those provide perfectly moral and legal situations for numerous decision to be made and people should have choices in those situations.
That last one is a big one because is causes the least moral clarity. One would assume eliminating that avenue for these situations to happen would be a great goal. And we are in luck because we know how to do that. To the benefit/detriment of millions of students, each state, and in many cases, each district, decides what sex/reproductive education curriculum to use. See here for a great and hilarious NQSFW analysis of our country's position on Sex Ed.
So we know comprehensive sex Ed works. I would assume it is in this bill., but alas I assumed. There is no discussion about sex Ed at all in this bill. Rep Emily Virgin said it best…
The story also noted Rep. Coody knew the money wasn't there for it to be implemented this year but “it will get the position of the house on the record” whatever that means… again fiscal responsibility at its finest.
We have to work together to fix this state. I get that. But it's a lot easier to work with someone if they can be taken seriously. And if these are the ideas, and it means enough to their party’s leadership to vote in committee (which is perfectly legal, but not that common) I don't know how seriously they can be taken…
It's important to note, neither of these bills are done. We've still got plenty of opportunity to defeat them and we have to. Please thank those that supported us, and start working on all the reps. We are being heard and it is making a difference.
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