I attended the town hall on October 22, hosted by the Mountain States Policy Group and the American Federation of Children, whose purpose was to promote the private school voucher program passed by our Legislature last session. I was there to challenge the speakers because I opposed the passage of H93, and it was clear that a significant portion of the attendees felt the same way.

We asked questions but did not receive real answers — only talking points and meandering explanations. I asked, “Can we afford this, since we have not fully funded our public school system?” and “Is this constitutional?” In response, I got a long and involved missive on a property tax bill from several years ago, touting how the Legislature is “pouring tons of money” into public schools—while ignoring the $100 million shortfall this year in special education funding and the fact that many school districts must run levies just to keep the lights on.

Mr. Conzatti’s assertion that the program is constitutional because “it establishes a floor, not a ceiling” was equally vague and evasive. Shame on the Legislature for not fulfilling its constitutional duty to “establish and maintain a general, uniform, and thorough system of public, free common schools.”

Another attendee asked about accountability for public funds, and Rep. Monks responded (paraphrased), “Who better to determine if the child is getting a good education than the parents? I trust the parents”.  And, I would have loved an explanation as to why those same “trustworthy” parents who are receiving Medicaid benefits must document work, school and volunteering, monthly, because now we don’t trust them?   That inconsistency is hypocritical. All spending of public funds should be accountable to the people, period.

The $50 million allocated for this voucher program could serve up to 7,000+ families. The panelists even encouraged families to apply to “create a waiting list.” A legislator at the Coeur d’Alene forum said that a waiting list could be used to justify expanding the program. Yet at this forum, legislators denied that intent—and when asked if they would commit to keeping the program capped at $50 million, they refused to answer. Instead, we heard vague comments about “the changing roster of legislators.” That’s not transparency, it’s evasion.

Ninety-four percent of Idaho’s children attend public schools. Idaho already ranks among the top states for school choice. Our Legislature still has not fully funded public education, and it is wrong to drain money from that system to subsidize private school tuition for families who have chosen to opt out. The people called Governor Little to veto this legislation in overwhelming numbers.  Our elected officials are not listening to the people.  This program is unfair, unaccountable, not transparent, and irresponsible — and Idaho’s children deserve better.