Steve Rothman: “last year, within our balanced budget bill, Congress gave American families a $400 tax credit for every child under the…”

“last year, within our balanced budget bill, Congress gave American families a $400 tax credit for every child under the age of 17 in the household. This year, it will be $500 per child. American families can use all of those monies for private or religious school tuition. That is their choice. This year, some in Congress want to bust the Nation's first balanced budget in 30 years by subsidizing private and religious school education, a subsidy that would ultimately affect funds available for the public schools. If this voucher bill passes, the other real consequence would be higher property taxes for America's families to make up the difference. In New Jersey, our property taxes are already too high. Besides, what is next? If someone does not like the books in their public library, should the government give that person a money voucher to buy books so that they can start their own private library? If somebody does not like the people who go into the public parks, should the government give money vouchers to that person so they can buy their own swing set and build their own private park? I do not think so. America is still a country that believes in the common good and to achieve the opportunity for success and the opportunity to achieve the American dream. Let us fix our public schools. Let us encourage competition by supporting chartered public school, but let us not pillage the public school systems in America.”