KCPW

Salt Lake Chamber Supports Vouchers

November 1, 2007

http://www.kcpw.org/article/4737

by Julie Rose
(KCPW News) The Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce has taken a position in support of school vouchers, despite a large number of its members who strongly oppose the Referendum. Chamber President Lane Beattie says the division fueled healthy debate.

"You'd never think that a critical issue like this would be unanimous," says Beattie. "You've got to make sure you've looked at every side, and that means you need the sides represented. This is just a great business decision."

Beattie says the Board of Governors for the Chamber wrestled with the issue for weeks before reaching a majority position to support vouchers. The move comes less than a week before Election Day. Two weeks ago, a group of business leaders grew tired of the Chamber's inaction and organized their own campaign to support vouchers.

A statement from the Salt Lake Chamber argues that vouchers are an innovative step to reduce the likelihood of future tax increases to cover the cost of education.