HB129
THREE school privatization bills are being heard in the Montana legislature THIS WEEK!
All these bills seek to privatize public education in Montana, and taken together, would divert tens of millions of public tax dollars to unaccountable and unregulated private schools.
Call your Senator and Representative TODAY and leave them a message asking for
"NO" vote on all three of these bills.
You can leave a message using the Capitol switchboard by calling 406-444-4800.
Use this link to follow up with an email saying the same thing--"Please, vote NO on these three school privatization bills!"
You can use this link to find your Representative/Senator.
HB 129 (Bedey) – would allow tax deductible contributions to k-12 tuition savings accounts to attend private schools, religious schools, and home schools. Nothing in the bill requires that schools actually be in Montana, that they be accredited, that they hire licensed and endorsed educators, or that they adhere to any local, state, and federal requirements for educating students.
Bill has already passed through the House and is currently in front of Senate Tax Committee.
Please urge all Montana Senators to vote NO!
HB 279
HB 279 (Berglee) – would allow any taxpayer (including corporations) to receive a tax credit of up to $200,000 (yes – that’s right - $200,000) for contributions to private school scholarship organizations.
Schools benefiting from these scholarships would not have to meet accreditation requirements and could be located anywhere in the world.
HB 279 would also eliminate testing and accountability requirements that were previously in place for this program. Worst of all, taxpayers who funnel money to these scholarship organizations are allowed to meet their TOTAL Montana income tax obligation through these donations. If their contribution is more than their tax obligation, they can carry over the remainder to cover Montana income taxes owed for up to two additional years.
Bill is currently in House Education Committee.
Please urge all committee members to vote NO!
HB329
HB 329 (Vinton) – HB 329 provides any special education student in Montana with a publicly funded “savings account” to attend a private school, again anywhere in the world, utilizing local school district and state funding.
Despite students not attending a local public school, students would still be classified as students of their home public school district, creating potential liability and expense for Montana school districts.
Bill to be heard Monday in House Education committee.
Please tell all committee members to vote NO!
Public schools in Montana serve all Montana students and are accountable to all of us.
They deserve the support of all Montanans.
Contact your legislators right away and tell them to vote no on these egregious efforts to undermine public education in Montana.
THREE school privatization bills are being heard in the Montana legislature THIS WEEK!
All these bills seek to privatize public education in Montana, and taken together, would divert tens of millions of public tax dollars to unaccountable and unregulated private schools.
Call your Senator and Representative TODAY and leave them a message asking for
"NO" vote on all three of these bills.
You can leave a message using the Capitol switchboard by calling 406-444-4800.
Use this link to follow up with an email saying the same thing--"Please, vote NO on these three school privatization bills!"
You can use this link to find your Representative/Senator.
HB 129 (Bedey) – would allow tax deductible contributions to k-12 tuition savings accounts to attend private schools, religious schools, and home schools. Nothing in the bill requires that schools actually be in Montana, that they be accredited, that they hire licensed and endorsed educators, or that they adhere to any local, state, and federal requirements for educating students.
Bill has already passed through the House and is currently in front of Senate Tax Committee.
Please urge all Montana Senators to vote NO!
HB 279
HB 279 (Berglee) – would allow any taxpayer (including corporations) to receive a tax credit of up to $200,000 (yes – that’s right - $200,000) for contributions to private school scholarship organizations.
Schools benefiting from these scholarships would not have to meet accreditation requirements and could be located anywhere in the world.
HB 279 would also eliminate testing and accountability requirements that were previously in place for this program. Worst of all, taxpayers who funnel money to these scholarship organizations are allowed to meet their TOTAL Montana income tax obligation through these donations. If their contribution is more than their tax obligation, they can carry over the remainder to cover Montana income taxes owed for up to two additional years.
Bill is currently in House Education Committee.
Please urge all committee members to vote NO!
HB329
HB 329 (Vinton) – HB 329 provides any special education student in Montana with a publicly funded “savings account” to attend a private school, again anywhere in the world, utilizing local school district and state funding.
Despite students not attending a local public school, students would still be classified as students of their home public school district, creating potential liability and expense for Montana school districts.
Bill to be heard Monday in House Education committee.
Please tell all committee members to vote NO!
Public schools in Montana serve all Montana students and are accountable to all of us.
They deserve the support of all Montanans.
Contact your legislators right away and tell them to vote no on these egregious efforts to undermine public education in Montana.