Position on School-Voucher Ballot Petition
Michigan Citizen Action

August 19, 1999

Michigan Citizen Action, the state's largest public-interest watchdog group, believes that high-quality public education for all students, families, and communities in Michigan is vital if we are to maintain a healthy democratic way of life. Public education can provide the future with not only leaders from and for every community in Michigan, but also in intelligent, capable, freedom- and fairness-minded citizenry-engaged in civic affairs, able to learn and benefit from the shared experiences and diverse backgrounds of their fellow Americans, and willing to make personal efforts in service of the good of all.

We need all our people to be well-educated and ready to take on the challenges of a democracy in the new millennium. However, we cannot meet that need fairly for all our people-or our society, or our nation-if we squander Michigan's scarce education resources on supplementary schools which, however worthy their specialized purposes, lack this common experience and fail to serve this primary, universal purpose.

It is for this reason that the Michigan state constitution prohibits the use of public funds for non-public schools. The reason is still valid, and we believe the prohibition should remain in force as well, Thus, Michigan Citizen Action and its membership oppose the proposed ballot initiative and its diversion of public money to private and parochial schools in vouchers. For the sake of our children-our communities-our society-our future-we cannot afford to spend education funds on any less than "E-quality ( E for excellent quality ( for all.

Linda Teeter
Executive Director, Michigan Citizen Council
Michigan Citizens Education Fund

721 North Capitol
Suite #3
Lansing, MI 48906
(517) 267-8246
Fax: (517) 267-8247

609 S. Burdick
Suite #204
Kalamazoo, MI 49007
(616) 349-9170
Fax (616) 349-9271

www.michcitizenaction.org

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