Lawmaker wants to stop funding schools that sue over vouchers

(The Center Square) – An Ohio state representative wants to cut off state funding for public school districts that are challenging the constitutionality of the state’s $1 billion private school voucher program.

But even supporters of the voucher program concede that the legislation, if passed, would face serious legal challenges.

House bill 671 was introduced this month by Rep. Jamie Callendar, a Republican from Canton.

Calendar did not respond to requests for comments on the legislation.

His proposal drew immediate criticism from school boards challenging the voucher program.

“HB 671 is a classic example of the school yard bully,” the Ohio Coalition for Equity & Adequacy of School Funding said in a statement. “It is a shameful display of an attempt to terrorize school district personnel for exercising their legal rights. This bill, if enacted, will most certainly immediately be challenged in court.”

Jeff Wensing, president of the Ohio Education Association “strongl...