Senate District 7 Candidates on School Choice

None by KCPW

(KCPW News) Education is the top issue for both candidates hoping to replace long time Democratic State Senator Karen Hale. But they have different takes. Democrat Ross Romero opposes using public money for private school tuition in the form of vouchers:

"I just believe there's adequate choice right now in the education system," says Romero. "An individual can go to a school in or out of their district, a charter school, they can be homeschooled, and even go to a private school. But I'm not for using the public school money to do that."

Romero says education will be his top priority in the State Senate, as he says it has been during his 2-year term in the Utah House. Former Salt Lake City Councilman and Republican candidate Bryce Jolley won't say whether he's for or against vouchers, but says he's open to options that will improve schools:

"You can be a supporter of public education and look at some alternatives - whether it's charter schools or vouchers or tax credits," says Jolley. "Or even look at restructuring how we look at school district."

In Utah races this election cycle, pro-voucher groups have outspent the Utah Education Association nearly three to one. Romero's campaign has received UEA money. Neither the UEA, nor the pro-voucher group Parents for Choice in Education have given to Jolley's effort.

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