Government Nannies at Your Door

“We’re from the Government and we’re here to help you.”

Do those words give you a warm, fuzzy feeling? The sponsors of the “Welcome to Washington Baby Act” think so. “A welcome hug from the State of Washington,” is how one Legislative Aide described the bill. The bill in the House of Representatives is HB 1771 and the companion bill in the Senate is SB 5683. It would establish a universal home visiting program for families of newborns. There are many disturbing aspects to this bill.
Read more.

The State Supreme Court, in the McCleary decision, reaffirmed that it was the “paramount duty” of the state to make “ample provision” for the education of all children…..(see Article IX, Washington State Constitution)

When the writers of this Article in Washington State’s Constitution wrote this, education consisted of “reading, writing, and arithmetic.” The writers would probably be surprised at what is considered “basic education” today. Their use of the words “ample provision” doesn’t necessarily mean ample payment, although the courts apparently think so.

Laurie Rogers also questions the word “ample” and provides many other good questions. Read her commentary.

These are good questions to ask your legislator at the next town hall meeting.

Have you ever been in a large meeting in which you felt manipulated into coming up with a decision you never wanted? You been the victim of the Delphi technique.

The political caucuses for 2012 are coming up. Here are some resolutions to submit at your respective caucus meetings.

This is CURE’s education platform. All political parties are welcome to use this platform or parts of the platform, to develop their party’s position on education.

This concept of educational tax credits avoids the problems that vouchers and charters have. Read about the Freedom of Conscience in Education concept.

Key points to keep in mind, to protect private schools and homeschools from government interference

Citizen Toolkit – –A primer to influencing legislation.

When you look at a school budget, are you confused? Here is information on how to read any school budget.

Questions for school board candidates from “Issues and Action in Education”, an e-letter of EdWatch, a non-profit organization in Minnesota, October 11, 2005