BrianGarst.com

There’s hope for them yet.

In 2001, Democrats in the Legislature pounded Republican plans to start a private school voucher program for poor and predominantly minority kids. They said it was unconstitutional, a drain on public schools, even un-American. In the end, all but one Democrat voted against it.

Times have changed. This year, a bill to vastly expand the same program passed by large margins.

And this time, a third of the Democratic caucus was on board.

“I’m a strong advocate for public school education, and I’m not necessarily a strong advocate for vouchers,” said Rep. Bill Heller, D-St. Petersburg, one of four Tampa Bay-area Democrats to vote yes. But “the bottom line has to be the child. If good things are happening for the child, then you can justify it.”

But don’t you go thinking this means Democrats support freedom in education.

Most Democrats remain wary. Many continue to argue that vouchers hurt public schools —and that this year was the worst possible time for an expansion. Others fear poor and minority kids are being used as a Trojan horse for a more radical agenda: vouchers for all kids.

All students free to pursue a quality education? The horror!

Hat tip: Cato-at-Liberty