LANSING, Mich.-- Today ALL Kids First! issued a challenge to the school voucher organization Kids First Yes to stop condemning legislators who want to tell the truth about the proposal

"The fact of the matter is that vouchers will take resources away from our neighborhood schools--we know it and voucher supporters know it," said Georgene Campbell, chairperson of ALL Kids First, a coalition of more than 110 education, child advocacy, religious and civil rights groups opposing vouchers in Michigan. "Kids First Yes doesn't want Michigan voters to know the truth about their deceptive scheme, and they're trying to silence those who speak up."

The fury started last week, when the Michigan Senate approved an amendment that stated that the state's foundation allowance for public schools "may be reduced" if voters approve the voucher amendment in the fall. The action was taken after reviewing the proposal and an analysis of the cost of vouchers prepared by the Senate Fiscal Agency, which reported that approval would obligate the state to an additional cost of $50-80 million in the first year alone.

"Kids First Yes is trying to turn fiscal responsibility into a political liability," said Michael Emlaw, vice-chair of ALL Kids First! "Clearly, the Michigan Senate has reviewed the voucher proposal and sees a need to honestly report that there will be an increased cost. It's either a choice of taking money away from public schools or raiding the School Aid Fund. This voucher proposal is bad for taxpayers, bad for kids and bad for schools, and it deserves to be rejected."

Following unsuccessful attempts to lobby senators to scratch the amendment, Kids First Yes issued an inflammatory release singling out Senator Bill Bullard (R-Highland), in particular, for his "Yes" vote on the amendment. Last weekend, Kids First Yes! went one step farther and dropped literature in the 15th Senate District falsely claiming that Bullard doesn't support public education, when in fact, Bullard has been a vocal supporter of education reform and public schools.

"ALL Kids First! thinks an apology from Greg Brock and Kids First Yes is in order for Senator Bullard and the voters of Michigan for their smear campaign and efforts to deceive parents about the true nature of the voucher proposal," said Campbell. "These campaign tactics of hiding the facts and political intimidation do not set a good example for a group that claims to want to help kids. It's time for Kids First Yes to stop complaining about full disclosure and come clean about their proposal."

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