Democrats Fail To Stand Up For School Choice

Raleigh, N.C. – S704 narrowly passed the Senate today in a 21-19 today.  Every Republican voted against the bill along with one Democrat, Sen. Doug Berger (D-Franklin).  Republicans opposed the legislation, purportedly aimed at reforming low-performing schools, because it does not allow the districts containing low-performing schools the option of converting those schools into charters that are not under the supervision of the local school district.  Removing these schools from the control of the local school district would allow parents more choice in where and how their children are educated as well as allow school administrators to have the flexibility to make staff changes and set compensation levels.  Instead, S704 will trap schools in the same system that has resulted in the problems their students are currently facing.

Democrats passed the legislation through the Senate using a procedural move designed to accommodate members who are absent from the floor called “pairing,” in which a member who is voting “no” pairs with an absent senator who is voting “aye” so that their votes cancel each other out.  The procedural device prevents the will of the majority present and voting from prevailing.  By participating in the Democratic leadership’s pairing scheme, Senators Don Davis (D-Greene), Steve Goss (D-Watauga), and John Snow (D-Cherokee) allowed the bill to pass.   

Senate Republican Leader Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) made the following statement:

“Senate Democrats, including Senators Davis, Goss, and Snow, failed to stand up for school choice today.  But for the closed-door, procedural maneuver, this bill would have failed and parents would have a better opportunity to secure for their children the quality education they deserve.”

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