Pro-Voucher Groups Rally Tomorrow

None by KCPW

(KCPW News) Tomorrow is the day families around Utah were supposed to start receiving tax-paid vouchers to help pay private school tuition. The State Board of Education has not yet implemented the program, citing confusion over a referendum to be held in November. Pro-voucher groups want the system in place now, and are rallying tomorrow to get the message across:

"Right now we have fifteen buses coming in from different points - Fort Duchesne, St. George, Payson, Ogden, Riverdale, Spanish Fork, American Fork - and there are just tons of families coming in on their own," says Leah Barker, a spokesperson for Parents for Choice in Education, which is behind the rally.

Barker estimates five-thousand families have expressed interest in receiving school vouchers since the program was passed by Utah lawmakers in February. A referendum on vouchers puts one bill on hold until the November election, but Barker believes a second measure should implement the program immediately. Pro-voucher groups have said they may sue if the State Board of Education doesn't begin offering vouchers. Voucher supporters will rally tomorrow at 1:30 p.m. at the State Capitol Building.

Email to a friendPosted in KCPW Newsroom. Copyright 2008 KCPW