The state's Department of Education, however, quickly wrote additional regulations destroying virtually all of the new flexibility for the program. Some governors and education leaders want to change the way in which education is bought and paid for in the state, and they have championed reforms that address these issues head on. Yet, even well-intentioned lawmakers still become sidetracked by spending questions. The first issue is not to make sure more money gets spent, but to ensure that money is spent efficiently, on education rather than bureaucracy. The second is to hold schools accountable for our hard-earned tax dollars.
Legislation requires support by legislators.
People elect legislators. Despite this simple formula, citizens question their power to make a difference. In fact, state legislators are often persuaded on an issue by as few as twenty phone calls on the subject. There will always be those legislators who are immovable, but that is only because most lawmakers see the same groups day in and day out, lobbying for their own narrow interests. Coalitions must spend time getting to know their local legislators and other elected officials.