During debate in the Senate today over a private school tax credit measure, State Sen. John Huppenthal described tax credit dollars as a “support level” for private schools, saying:

“The support level for district schools is roughly $9,400 with all spending included, while the support level for private schools is about $600…this inflator is designed to make things a little more fair.”

Huppenthal said this in response to a line of questioning by Sen. Debbie McCune Davis of Phoenix, who wondered correctly why the bill includes an annual inflation adjustment for the amount a couple or individual can contribute each year. Naturally, this adjustment only permits upward growth of the limit. Sen. McCune Davis then asked him if she understood him to be advocating for state support of private schools, to which he responded that he believed that parents should be provided a specific dollar amount to use wherever they please, be it pulic, private, or religious schools. We in public education have a word for this. It’s known as a voucher. Huppenthal concluded by stating that

“All children are created equal in the eyes of God, and deserve equal support.”

Penny also believes that all children are created equal, which is why every child deserves the highest quality public school system that we can give to them. Private schools should remain private.