Statement from the League of Women Voters of Michigan

The League of Women Voters of Michigan has long held the position that public funds should not be spent for nonpublic education. Although originally adopted more than 25 years ago, the League's position that vouchers are an unacceptable distribution system for financing education was specifically re-affirmed at the Michigan League's 1998 State Council and its 1999 State Convention.

The League has always been supportive of both funding schools at a level aimed at achieving a high quality program for all school districts and career-long professional development for teachers. As a result of its recently completed study of Charter Schools, the League has taken a position in support of school choice.

None of these objectives, which are claimed as "goals" of the constitutional amendment presently being proposed by Kids First are the real goal of this initiative proposal The real goal is eliminating the Michigan Constitution's prohibition on vouchers.

For that reason, the League of Women Voters of Michigan will work to defeat this constitutional amendment, should it be on the November 2000 ballot.

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