School Choice the Saving Grace of Special Session Disaster

Indianapolis, IN - School choice and educational reform were at the center of the budget fight, and in the end, the taxpayer and students won. This budget ends the unquestioned support of the failing public education system, and creates a spark for alternative educational choices to be created. The General Assembly passed a pilot program for online virtual schools, and created a $2.5 million a year tax credit for private schools. The destructive caps for charter schoolson charter schools have been removed, which may provide additional future funding through grants.

"The last 175 days of the General Assembly have been a disaster," said Libertarian Party State Chairman Sam Goldstein. "It was a disgrace that over $150,000 went into the pockets of old party professional politicians who squabbled like children. In the end, there was at least one shining spot in all of this: a chance to educate our children in a proper and effective manner. Our public education system is totally broken, and should no longer be supported. This was a step in the right direction, but does not go far enough. The Libertarian Party of Indiana will run 100 State House and 25 State Senate candidates to ensure that total education reform is implemented."