Statement from Mark Green on Milwaukee Parental Choice Program Announcement

Statement from Mark Green on Milwaukee Parental Choice Program Announcement

02/17/06

Green Bay - In response to the announcement that Speaker John Gard and Governor Jim Doyle reached an agreement to increase the cap on the number of students who can participate in the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program, gubernatorial candidate and U.S. Congressman Mark Green issued the following statement Friday:

"Today's announcement is great news for kids in Milwaukee who were facing the untenable prospect of being removed from their school. The cap on school choice isn't just an abstract statistic - it is a cap on the hopes and dreams of families looking to build a better quality of life and a stronger community.

"Congratulations are in order to the Milwaukee families and their public and private sector advocates who refused to back down to the governor and his special interest supporters who have fought the choice program since its inception.

"I've had the chance to meet with a number of choice-school families, and I know what relief this news brings them. It is truly unfortunate Governor Doyle's previous steadfast opposition to the voucher program caused so much unnecessary anxiety.

"While today's announcement averts an immediate crisis, it doesn't change my belief that there shouldn't be any cap on the choice program. Elect me governor and no family will ever again have to worry about being forced out of their school because of an arbitrary cap, and the needs of kids - not a well-heeled special interest group - will come first."

http://www.votemarkgreen.com/site/apps/nl/content2.asp?c=klIZIhN3JyE&b=1332301&ct=1986957