Urgent: Stop Voucher Expansion in North Carolina
Drop what you are doing and act to save your public schools. Once again, the North Carolina legislature is attempting to expand vouchers.
HB32 would expand North Carolina’s already existing voucher program, the Opportunity Scholarship program, by expanding eligibility, increasing the amount of the voucher, and increasing funding for marketing and administering the program. It would also merge the program with the existing Education Savings Account program, which puts tax dollars on a debit card for parents to spend on private educational services in lieu of attending a public school. It would even allow vendors to charge “transaction or merchant fees” of up to 2.5% of all spending.
These changes to a program that already diverts millions of dollars away from public schools would add an additional $159 million over the next nine years.
Here is what you need to do:
1. Call the following members:
Hugh Blackwell: 919-733-5805; John Torbett :704-263-9282; Cecil Brockman: 919-733-5825 Susan Fisher: 919-715-2013; Diane Wheatley: 919-733-5959; David Willis 919-733-2406 Cynthia Ball 919-733-5860; Ashton Clemmons : 919-733-5781; Rosa Gill 919-821-0425; Rachel Hunt: 919-733-5800; Graig Meyer: 919-715-3019; Charles Graham 910-739-3969
And bill sponsors: Dean Arp: 704-282-0418; Hugh Blackwell: 919-733-5805 Donny Lambeth 919-733-5747; Jason Saine 919-733-5782
Sample script: My name is [your name]. Please tell [legislator] that I do not support HB32. I am strongly opposed to this bill that would give more tax dollars for private and religious school education. North Carolina cannot afford the expansion of the Opportunity Scholarship and ESA accounts. I support public schools, not privatized alternatives.
2. Send an email to:
Sample:
I am strongly opposed to HB32 that would give more tax dollars for private and religious school education. North Carolina cannot afford the expansion of the Opportunity Scholarship Program and ESA accounts. I support public schools, not privatized alternatives.
3. Sign this petition:
https://www.publicschoolsfirstnc.org/engage/sign-our-petition/
There is one last thing to do to save your public schools. Share this link with a North Carolina friend.
https://npeaction.org/urgent-stop-voucher-expansion-in-north-carolina/