Huckabee and Education (endorses School Choice via tuition tax credits)

CNS News ^ | January 3, 2008 | Terence P. Jeffrey, Editor in Chief

[AFA-Michigan]

...Conservatives, I suspect, will find some of Huckabee's reservations about vouchers more persuasive than others. He cites a compelling argument from Christian school administrators, for example, who told him they fear that "once you take government money, you take government control."

...Huckabee did offer an alternative route to school choice for parents who don't want to send their children to public schools.

"I think that we ought to have tax credits for a family whose decision is to put their children in an alternative environment. And that is something that I would support," he said. "It's an empowering method to families."

[AFA-Michigan]

Universal Tuition Tax Credit authored by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, Midland, Michigan:

http://www.mackinac.org/article.aspx?ID=9128

[olezip]

...Conservatives, I suspect, will find some of Huckabee's reservations about vouchers more persuasive than others. He cites a compelling argument from Christian school administrators, for example, who told him they fear that "once you take government money, you take government control."

It is true that ..."once you take government money, you take government control." I strongly support the concept of school vouchers, or, better yet, a viable alternative to government schools.

[Jabba the Nutt]

Actually, according the law, tax credits bring the same type of government control that vouchers would. There's no difference. Tax credits will only work and become popular, if anyone can take the credit, because 50% of the population, basically don't pay income tax. So, if grandparents, neighbors and businesses can take the credit, you can build up more of a base of support.

The goal is to replace government schools with educational freedom. It can't be done overnight, people need to see an option about where they could take their own kids for an education. Both tax credits and vouchers would create incentives for opening more schools. Tax credits get the benefit of judgment over starting a "school stamp" program. At least, tax credits aren't direct welfare payments.

[AFA-Michigan]

Jabba, the Universal Tuition Tax Credit does exactly as you describe — not just extended family being eligible for the credit, but General Motors or your family doctor or the small business down the street. Thus the “universal” aspect.

[wintertime]

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