Let my people...go to the school of their choice!

I like this idea from the Center for Small Government. Educational choice that saves the taxpayers' money.

Each homeowner is taxed $3,000 a year for public schools.

Putting a student into the local public school COSTS taxpayers $7,500 per year.

NOT putting a student into the local public school system SAVES taxpayers $7,500 per year.

Taking a student out of the local public schools REDUCES the public school expenses $7,500 per year.

THE SMALL GOVERNMENT PROPOSAL FOR EDUCATIONAL FUNDING AND CHOICE : Every homeowner who does NOT put a student into the local public schools gets a 100% tax credit for the part of property taxes that pays for public schools. $3,000 back each year.

Each homeowner is free to choose. Use the public schools and pay the tax. Or don't use the public schools and don't pay the tax.

I would add one additional policy, which is that anyone can take the tax credit if they pay for a child to attend a private school. For instance, maybe there's a single mother who pays no property taxes because she rents an apartment, she wants to send her child to private school, but can't afford it. Why shouldn't her neighbor, a family member, a friend, or a alumnus of the school, be allowed to take the tax credit if they pay the tuition for the student (assuming they live in the town)?

The key is to rebate the property taxes though, otherwise the state will claim its "our" money, will all the strings and religious bigotry attached to it. A voucher system won't work for this reason, but the tax credit system will because it will allow true educational choice. Power to the people!