June 27, 2002

Kansas Voucher Supporters Claim Victory By Bernard Choi KWCH-TV
Every year for the past nine years, Kay O'Connor of Olathe has introduced a bill in the Kansas legislature to set up a voucher program in Kansas. O'Connor has served as both state senator and state representative in the Kansas legislature. But in her nine attempts, it's never passed.

O'Connor and other voucher supporters say their failure is due in part because lawmakers fear the US Supreme Court would strike it down anyway.

Now, the federal constitutional roadblock is gone. But, it still doesn't mean a smooth ride for people like O'Connor.

O'Connor and other voucher supporters say a voucher program is needed for Kansas parents like Linda Jones.

As a single mother with a small daycare business Jones can pay the bills, but it leaves little for extras for the kids.

"Like they want most things most kids have and we don't have it and so we make do," Jones said.

One thing Jones wants her two younger kids to have is a good education. For Jones, the answer was Holy Savior, a local catholic school.

"I like the discipline, the smaller classes," Jones said.

But, those smaller classes come at a high price.

"It's real hard. I don't make a whole lot, tuition is expensive."

Kay O'Connor and other voucher supporters say the Supreme Court decision could make private school a more affordable choice for parents like Linda Jones.

"Wealthy people always had choice. What we have done is level the playing field," said Cindy Duckett who runs a private scholarship for low-income children.

"I think freedom won today, and I think that's the freedom for parents to have the right to choose," said Wichita Republican Representative Brenda Landwehr. "They're the best ones to decide where and how their child is educated." Landwehr and O'Connor say they both plan to introduce voucher legislation next session.

While vouchers now have the federal okay, they could be blocked on the state level.

In the Kansas Constitution, Article 6 says "no religious sect shall control public educational funds."

In addition, voucher supporters will have to contend with critics who say vouchers hurt public schools already struggling for cash.

"There's a fixed amount of tax dollars so if the pie is more thinly spread out, it would mean we would be getting less," said Diane Gjerstad, political lobbyist for Wichita Public Schools.

"Public education is a foundation, it's something that we know is good and in our community day in and day out can see what public education is doing to make our community grow," Barb Fuller is president of the Wichita teachers' union. "We're having trouble funding public schools I can't imagine how they could even consider something like that."

Linda Jones says it's her tax dollars, and it's time she gets to spend it how she likes, for her kids.

"If they gave us a voucher and you have that choice, you're going to have that choice now."

So what now? A lawmaker like Landwehr or O'Connor will have to introduce voucher legislation next session.

If it becomes law-- it would be up to opponents to challenge it. Then the Kansas Supreme Court would decide if vouchers violate the state constitution.

This story can be found at: http://www.kwch.com/MGBE0CEY73D.html