Republicans plan to revive school choice debate ahead of new session
As lawmakers head back to the Statehouse Monday, Gov. Kim Reynolds aims to finally bring her school choice plan across the finish line.
Her plan to use taxpayer money to help some Iowans pay for private school tuition has stalled in the House the past two years. But with a new Education Reform Committee, Republican House Speaker Pat Grassley says that school choice will make it to the House floor for a vote.
"We think we can do education reform in the state of Iowa, support more choice for parents. We also think we can do it and support public education at the same time. So I think that's what you're going to see a lot of the conversations right away, when we get to the Capitol," Grassley said.
This year, House Republicans have more than 20 new members.
Some outspoken school-choice critics were replaced by supporters who Reynolds campaigned for.
Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver hopes for a breakthrough with new lawmakers and new ideas.
"I think one of the interesting dynamics of any new legislature, but especially after redistricting, is the fact that there's so many new legislators," Whitver said. "With a lot of new people, it brings new ideas to the front and gives you a chance to pass bills that maybe didn't pass in previous years."
Democrats are still committed to pushing back.
"We're expecting quite a fight in the Education Reform Committee and we'll continue to fight against school vouchers until it fails," House minority leader Jennifer Konfrst said.
Democrats will have an even tougher battle than in previous years, with Republicans expanding their majority in both the House and Senate.
"Iowans may have given Republicans a majority, but they did not give Republicans a mandate to weaken our schools or slash ... kind of the foundations of our social safety net or an act of a far-right cultural agenda," Representative Zach Wahls said. "We're going to do what we always do, which is stand up for everyday Iowans and try to bring the debate back to the center, because we know that's where the vast majority of Iowans are."
