The debate over the D.C. voucher bill took a nasty turn in recent days, with Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA) accusing the GOP of using the voteless District as a guinea pig. And while Senate Republicans acknowledge that they don't have the votes to break a Democratic filibuster and have therefore pulled the bill from the floor for the time being, they seem confident that it will pass later this month, once the 2004 appropriations process is wrapped up. Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein of California remains steadfast in her support of the bill, despite overwhelming pressure to switch sides. "I've gotten a lot of flak because I'm supporting it," said Feinstein of the legislation. "But guess what? I don't care. I've spent the time. I've gone to the schools. I see what works. I see what doesn't work." Hurrah for the Senator's courage, and Gadfly hopes that it catches in Wisconsin, where Governor Jim Doyle is expected to veto a bill that would expand the Milwaukee voucher program. Approved yesterday by the Wisconsin state assembly, the bill expands the scope and size of the Milwaukee school choice program, throwing out the cap that limits the program to 15 percent of the Milwaukee school population and opening up participation to private schools throughout Milwaukee County, rather than just those within the Milwaukee city limits. The governor feels that "now is not the time to be expanding choice." We wonder precisely what the right time would be?
"Senate backs off D.C. school vouchers," by Spencer Hsu, Washington Post, October 1, 2003
"Vouchers find favor outside GOP," by Nick Anderson, Los Angeles Times, September 26, 2003 (registration required)
"School choice bill passes," by Sarah Carr and Alan J. Borsuk, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, October 2, 2003