Bay CARE received approval from the state to circulate a petition supporting school vouchers earlier this month. It needs 693,230 signatures by April 1 to make the November 1996 ballot deadline. Two years ago California voters turned down a similar initiative, Proposition 174, to amend the state's constitution. However, Lipner is optimistic the fate of Bay CARE's Education Freedom Initiative will be different. Lipner says the latest voucher plan is more fiscally sound, and the political climate for vouchers has warmed.
Test scores are down and crime is up in the public schools.
Any surplus would bankroll a fund to offer vouchers to students currently attending private school. The plan was developed by noted Stanford University Professor of economics Milton Friedman. I think this is why we'll win. The public isn't interested in raising taxes. Parents most wanting to pull their children out of public schools couldn't afford the tuition difference.