Shame on Del. Sheila Hixson. The Montgomery County Democrat helda bill in committee that could have helped boost education funding by millions throughout the state for both private and public school students.
The Building Opportunities for All Students and Teachers, passed the Senate with bipartisan support. But thanks to Hixson, the House never voted on the measure, which would have given tax credits for up to 75 percent of donations by corporations to private scholarship funds and to public schools to start innovative programs.
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Similar legislation in Pennsylvania has generated more than $300 million in contributions for private and public schools from 3,200 different companies since 2001 when it passed, according to the REACH Foundation in Harrisburg, Pa.
The program has been so successful in raising funds for private scholarships, public school innovations and pre-kindergarten scholarships that the state legislature has raised the cap on the amount of money that can be raised each year four times to $75 million this year.
The Maryland State Teachers Association, which endorsed Hixson and whose political wing has donated more than $4,000 to her campaigns since 2001, opposed the bill because the group claimed it would take money away from public schools.
True, it would reduce the number of students attending public schools and the funding following them. But fewer students require less money. Besides, is quantity of students the only thing that the unions care about? What about giving each student in Maryland a quality education?
Plus, the program would increase funding for innovative public school programs and training for teachers. For example, this year more than $22 million of the $75 million in the Pennsylvania program will be dedicated to public schools.
By killing the bill, Hixson basically said that if public schools can?t get every cent of funding, no one should. We?d like her to come to Baltimore City, where less than half of students graduate public high schools, and tell parents why that reasoning helps to educate their children.
Supporters say they will resubmit the legislation next year. Legislators should make it one of the first items on their agenda and pass it. Only those who put political patronage over educational excellence could oppose it.
