One Voice for Public Policy: State Level Parental Choice in Education
Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
Almost needless to say, big and exciting things have and continue to happen in the realm of parental empowerment through school choice. On the state level, the latest development occurred last week in the State of Texas as a long anticipated $1 billion education savings account program was signed into law. It has the potential to give the parents of up to 100,000 children the ability to send their child to the school of their choosing. Its passage brings the number of states on track to offer universal school choice to their residents to 15, in addition to 6 other states offering other forms of choice. In total, this makes over half of all students in the United States eligible to receive public funding, allowing them to choose from a variety of non-government school options --- including religious schools. Unfortunately, the opposition of teachers’ unions means the children of Minnesota are not yet among that number.
That, however, may be about to change – not through a change in State education policy, but rather a change in Federal tax policy which will impact all states, including Minnesota. This will happen if the Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA) becomes law. It is a scholarship tax credit program which will allow federal taxpayers to receive a dollar-for-dollar tax credit for monies contributed to scholarship granting organizations. These organizations, in turn, will offer scholarships to students wishing to attend non-public schools like our Lutheran schools.
It is hoped that the ECCA will become part of the “one big reconciliation tax bill” currently making its way through Congress, with passage targeted for this summer. In order to make this a reality, it is necessary to encourage the members of our Minnesota Congressional delegation to treat this as a very high priority part of the bill and insist on its inclusion. And so, I want to strongly encourage each of you to contact your congressional representative, urging them to do all in their power to include the ECCA in the House reconciliation bill.
Especially in states like Minnesota where entrenched political interests have continued to block the will of the people (polls consistently show at least 75% support for school choice), this is a great opportunity to bring real empowerment to parents, allowing them to freely choose the kind of educational setting they want for their children. Now, in the next week, is the time to act! So, please consider calling or emailing your congressional representative, asking them to support the inclusion of the full ECCA program in the reconciliation bill. This is likely the best opportunity we will have to reestablish the kind of parental authority that will strengthen our families and our nation, and, most importantly, allow for a freer proclamation of the Gospel.
For your convenience, here is the contact information for Minnesota’s Congressional Delegation:
Rep. Brad Finstad (R): First District; 202-225-2472; https://finstad.house.gov/contact
Rep. Angie Craig (D): Second District; 202-225-2271; https://craig.house.gov/contact
Rep. Kelly Morrison (D): Third District; 202-225-2871; https://morrison.house.gov/contact
Rep. Betty McCollum (D): Fourth District; 202-225-6631; https://mccollum.house.gov/contact
Rep. Ilhan Omar (D): Fifth District; 202-225-4755; https://omar.house.gov/contact
Rep. Tom Emmer (R): Sixth District; 202-225-2331; https://emmer.house.gov/contact
Rep. Michelle Fischbach (R): Seventh District; 202-225-2165; https://fischbach.house.gov/contact
Rep. Pete Stauber (R): Eighth District; 202-225-6211; https://stauber.house.gov/contact
As Christian people who understand that God has given parents the primary right and responsibility to guide and educate their children toward godliness, the passage of the ECCA is an opportunity we should seize for the spiritual benefit of our children and the temporal benefit of our nation. Please act today!
In Christ,
Rev. Fredric Hinz
Public Policy Advocate, MN Districts, LCMS
fred.hinz@mnsdistrict.org
507-317-9634
