Statement from Jonathan Small on ESAs

"Children all across Oklahoma, especially the most vulnerable, lost out again today. It is disappointing that neither of the two bills that would have provided a lifeline for these children, and for their families, in the form of education savings accounts, were voted on by the full state House or state Senate before today's deadline.

ESAs would provide Oklahoma families, especially low-income families, with opportunities they simply don't currently have to choose better educational options for their children.

These two bills were not heard today because the strongest lobby at the state Capitol is now the public education lobby. Too often, this group has emphasized the dollar value associated with keeping children in seats in public schools, rather than allowing the children’s parents to have greater options for meeting their children’s unique needs."