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Caucus Press Release: Democrats Kill 4K Program Proposed for Neediest Children
Mar 28, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Democrats Kill 4K Program
Proposed for Neediest Children
Nearly all of the Democratic Caucus votes to reconsider its top priority for 2007
COLUMBIA -- The House Democratic Caucus ended the chances of expanding the state's 4-year-old kindergarten pilot program to the rest of South Carolina Wednesday.
"It's disingenuous for Democrats to lecture the House repeatedly over the last three months about how badly our state needs a 4K program and then have them essentially kill the program because they were too scared to face a vote on school choice," said Majority Leader Jim Merrill. "Any bill sent back to committee this late in a session has very little chance of coming back."
Led by Democrat leaders, and followed by 46 of the 50 House Democrats in attendance, the "4K bill" was sent to the Ways and Means Committee for consideration. The bill was approved by the Education and Public Works Committee earlier this month. Before the vote to recommit, Democratic leaders tried to use procedural moves to halt debate.
"I was surprised to see Democrats vote to recommit the bill," said Speaker of the House Bobby Harrell. "I hope this does not kill the bill and the opportunity we have to provide four year-old kindergarten for our state's children."
The 4K bill considered Wednesday allowed parents to send their children to public or private 4K programs. The program was ordered last year by a state judge.
For More Information
Jason Zacher
(864) 787-6608
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