There is a stench wafting down from Salem that emanates from Senate Bill 767. This bill, introduced on behalf of the Oregon Education Association and other teacher unions, is the OEA’s first step in eliminating competition in education from online charter schools in Oregon.
The OEA’s legislative agenda for 2009, posted on their Web site, blatantly declares a recommendation “That the OEA shall develop legislation to repeal current charter school statutes.” The Oregon Legislature, by passing SB 767, has abdicated their own authority and allowed a group of unelected and unaccountable union lobbyists to re-write the law in order to destroy virtual schools in Oregon through which 4,000 children receive public education.
Sara Gelser, chairperson of the House Education Committee, championed this bill. Rep. Gelser helped ram through this egregious piece of legislation with little public debate, despite declaring on April 1 in the well of the House that her committee would welcome open and robust debate.
In fact, the House Education Committee never debated SB 767 at all. Ms. Gelser allowed her committee to shut down early in full knowledge that SB 767 was on its way from the Senate. So who does Ms. Gelser really represent?
And for that matter, when the OEA says it’s going to repeal Oregon law, and the Legislature rolls over and makes it happen, who are they really representing? Is it the people of Oregon or union lobbyists?
SB 767 is a disgrace. Here’s hoping Gov. Kulongoski has the good sense to veto it.
John D. Jones, Philomath
Click here for editor's note.
No comments:
Post a Comment