Voters will face some stark choices when they vote for governor next month. The two major party candidates are on opposite ends of numerous issues from environmental issues to health care.
For instance: Should parents be able to withdraw their students from public schools and take the money the state would have spent? Republican Ed Gillespie says he would sign a bill introduced by Republican Delegate Dave LaRock of Loudoun County to create education savings accounts. “The spending is restricted to pre-approved educational expenditures. No other money goes into the account," LaRock said. "Accountability includes parents submitting to expenditure receipt quarterly audits.”
Critics say education savings accounts undermine public education by allowing parents to suck money out of the system. Democrat David Bulova of Fairfax County says the money taken from the public school system could be spent on transportation or tutoring or laptop computers. “It even allows for contributions to Coverdell Education Savings accounts, which can actually be used to save for college and has nothing to do with K through 12 education,” Bulova responded.
The General Assembly passed LaRock’s bill earlier this year, although it was vetoed by the current governor, Terry McAuliffe.
That means voters have a clear choice: Vote for Gillespie, who will sign the bill and allow education savings accounts. Or vote for Northam, who says he would veto any effort that would allow parents to withdraw their students from public schools and spend the money elsewhere.
This report, provided by Virginia Public Radio, was made possible with support from the Virginia Education Association.
