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Provo Daily Herald Huntsman steps out in support of vouchers October 18, 2007
Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. ended months of avoiding the public spotlight on the school voucher debate Wednesday, appearing at a Capitol news conference with Republican leaders who support the program. Huntsman has been largely absent in the dispute over the voucher program, which he signed into law in February. The program would give parents $500 to $3,000 per child, depending on income, to spend on tuition at a private school. Ever since voucher opponents gained enough signatures to put the program on hold and force a referendum on the issue, Huntsman has avoided making public appearances in support of vouchers. However, at a conference at Sundance in September, Huntsman mentioned his support for vouchers. "I'm going to vote for vouchers because I think that's an important step in terms of having another piece of equipment in our arsenal that serves kids," he said. "Maybe 1 to 2 percent of them will take advantage of it." While voucher supporters were optimistic Huntsman's appearance at the Capitol news conference could sway the vote, Huntsman wasn't so sure. "I doubt it," he said. Huntsman has come under heavy criticism from conservative lawmakers and voucher supporters who have questioned his support as public opinion polls routinely show most voters are opposed to vouchers. Much of that criticism subsided Wednesday. "I could not be prouder to have the governor as the head of the state right now," said Rep. Carl Wimmer, R-Herriman, a former critic. "Some people were wondering where he had gone." In Huntsman's view, he didn't go anywhere. He said he routinely talks about his support for vouchers during speeches on other topics and answers questions at news conferences about the issue. "It's nothing new," Huntsman said. But it is. This is the first time Huntsman has attended a news conference specifically about vouchers. Sometimes pro-voucher groups hold several news conferences each week -- Huntsman has skipped them all. He also refuses to appear in television commercials touting their value. Huntsman has dispatched Lt. Gov. Gary Herbert to handle most of the voucher salesmanship. Herbert also appeared at Wednesday's news conference, which was organized by Republican legislative leaders. Huntsman was a last-minute addition, although he said he's discussed appearing at a news conference for weeks. "It was the right time," he said. However, Huntsman was still less than forceful. He didn't implore the public to vote in favor of vouchers, rather telling voters to become informed on the issue. "That's all I ask. We have a very important vote Nov. 6. Become informed and then vote whatever you think is right. Whatever you can stand up and justify is the right answer for you," Huntsman said. Democrats who voted against the voucher program said they weren't impressed with Huntsman's appearance. "Not at all," said Rep. Carol Spackman Moss, D-Holladay. "It was a lot of rhetoric about how they love public schools." She said she wasn't even sure if Huntsman said he supported vouchers during the news conference, although she was there. Much of Huntsman's speech focused on how the Legislature gave the biggest funding increase in state history to public schools earlier this year. However, Huntsman did say why he supports vouchers. He said he considers it part of an overall mix of education options that would gave parents choice. But he stopped short of saying parents should vote in favor of the program. "It wouldn't be proper for a governor to force the hand of a state he or she represents," he said. |
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