Catholic officials praise voucher plan approved by Senate

Published: 2004-01-26

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The Senate's Jan. 22 approval of a $14 million voucher plan for low-income students in the District of Columbia was good news to Catholic officials. "I'm euphoric," said Ronald Jackson, executive director of the District of Columbia Catholic Conference, who has watched this legislation go through various stages over the years and had been confident this year that the "time was right" for its approval. "We had all the pieces in place," he told Catholic News Service Jan. 23. He also was quick to point out that the legislation, which President Bush is expected to sign into law, will not merely provide voucher funds but also will benefit the district's public and charter schools. The House passed similar legislation last fall. The plan will provide $14 million for vouchers over a five-year period, offering 1,700 low-income children scholarship grants of $7,500 to attend private or religious schools and allowing $1 million for administrative costs. The bill, which is expected to go into effect next fall, also includes $13 million for public schools and $13 million for charter schools in the District of Columbia.

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