The ripple effect in Ohio politics result in education policies out of sync with a majority of Ohioans.
Vouchers don’t poll well in any state. Recently a poll in Oklahoma indicated that 74% were not in favor of vouchers. In no state has a voucher scheme passed in a statewide election. Notwithstanding, legislatures across the nation are cramming vouchers down the throats of folks.
There is a ripple effect in play, particularly in Ohio. Contrary to the will of Ohioans as expressed in the Constitution, state officials have continued the practice of gerrymandering legislative boundaries to significantly favor one party. This practice produces an imbalance in state policy that essentially excludes the views of the minority party.
Education policies in Ohio such as public school privatization (vouchers and charters) and state-level education governance are decided prior to bills being heard in House and Senate committees. Committee hearings are held, but merely for window dressing. Minority views as expressed in amendments are typically voted down along party lines. Rarely do majority party members support minority party amendments. If they do, they might end up with a party-endorsed primary election opponent.
An example will illustrate. The leadership in the majority party in each chamber of the Ohio legislature wants to expand vouchers and centralize control of state-level education governance. Members of the majority party will line-up after leadership. The ripple started with gerrymandering and ended with bad policy, which in both cases will produce unconstitutional legislation.
Learn about EdChoice Vouchers: An Existential Threat to Public Schools
VOUCHERS HURT OHIO