Kim Reynolds: "Even @KCRG agrees: Democrats are misleading Iowans on school funding"
- Thread starter NorthernHawkeye
- Start date
Even KCRG... like that means something... is that maga talk for something?
When you give money to people, for religion, that were already paying for it, you're stealing from the general public.
You don't get to argue it's their money for their kid. Everyone pays, we decided as a society that education was important. The church is tax exempt because the are supposed to be giving back to the community not taking from the 95% to give to the 5%.
Giving money to churches to build brand new buildings with taxpayer money is wrong. Surprising amount of building going on at the private schools, while the tuitions went up.
I'd love to know the number of new students that went to private school. I'm betting that's what she wants to hide in an audit. 500 new kids went to a private school for 100,000,000....
When you give money to people, for religion, that were already paying for it, you're stealing from the general public.
You don't get to argue it's their money for their kid. Everyone pays, we decided as a society that education was important. The church is tax exempt because the are supposed to be giving back to the community not taking from the 95% to give to the 5%.
Giving money to churches to build brand new buildings with taxpayer money is wrong. Surprising amount of building going on at the private schools, while the tuitions went up.
I'd love to know the number of new students that went to private school. I'm betting that's what she wants to hide in an audit. 500 new kids went to a private school for 100,000,000....
They're the best and probably the most professional, but they also gave us Ashley Hinson. Gross.
I've enjoyed listening to Kim say Sand is being political, when that is all she ever does. Pot meet kettle.
Then Allow audits. If this was on the up and up she'd be okay having it reviewed. Instead she is blocking any audits at all costs. She's clearly hiding the actual results.
The vast majority getting vouchers were already attending private school. There were about 40,000 private school students in Iowa vs. 400K in public school. Even if they increase their attendance by 20% (they won't) that's only 8000 new students. $100M+ to give the private schools their choice on who to select.
Meanwhile 390K students are ignored. This is what the republican party is promoting under the guise of "school choice".
Posted this before. I know someone on the school board at Burlington Notre Dame. When the vouchers were implemented they raised tuition. Basically the parents get a small break from before but not the entire amount. Instead, they are using the money gained from the increased tuition to replace what the church would have subsidized. The church is now providing less to the school.
That’s where this money is going. The school is educating the same kids charging more money so the church keeps more $$$$
That’s where this money is going. The school is educating the same kids charging more money so the church keeps more $$$$
Something to be noted with your story is that there is nothing requiring private schools to take students other than who was already attending.
It's the same thing happening in Washington. The GOP truly believes that as soon as they're elected, they're above the law, while the Democrats just throw up their hands and say, "Jeez, we tried playing nice! Now we're out of options!"
- Legislation Restricting Auditor's Authority: In June 2023, Governor Reynolds signed a law that restricts the State Auditor's access to certain personal information and removes the office's power to subpoena state agencies. This legislation has been criticized for impeding the auditor's ability to conduct thorough investigations.
https://www.desmoinesregister.com/s...on-courts/70203728007/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
- Denial of Access to Education Savings Account (ESA) Information: In February 2025, State Auditor Rob Sand reported that the Iowa Department of Education, under Governor Reynolds' administration, denied his office access to information regarding the state's ESA program. Governor Reynolds defended this action, suggesting that the auditor's request was politically motivated and that he used an improper process to seek the information. https://www.iowapublicradio.org/sta...state-auditor-rob-sand?utm_source=chatgpt.com
This claim by Dems is exactly how Repubbers would have responded if the shoe were on the other foot. Repubbers use this very same argument when Dems talk about recording Trump’s tax cut…remember, numbers don’t lie but liars use numbers. Both sides do this. Perhaps Reynolds ought to order an audit?
How do other states handle such audit requests? I suppose it’s based on an engagement letter. If personal information is involved that would create a concern.
My guess is it depends on whether it's a red state or blue state.
Feel free to do you own research.
You know what really sucks? Her voters completely avoid these threads and bury their heads in the sand because that's easier to deal with than an incompetent, if not corrupt, Governor.
I hope you realize that the vouchers have not applied to a large number of families.
If only there was a way to figure out who got what. Oh something like an audit.
It's still income based this year. I expect a very small number of existing students were eligible.
You're woefully uniformed again. The income restriction went away in the 24-25 school year. Not that it was very restrictive before.
How many students received vouchers?
No they did not. This is the second and final year of income guidelines.
Do you ever tire of being wrong?
In the 2023-2024 school year, Iowa’s Education Savings Account (ESA) program had an income restriction for new applicants. To qualify, a family’s income had to be at or below 300% of the federal poverty level (FPL).
For reference, this meant:
- Family of 2: ~$59,160
- Family of 4: ~$90,000
(Source)
Program Eligibility
Students First ESAs are awarded based on the following eligibility:School Year 2024-25
- A student that was approved and used an ESA in the 2023-24 school year
- A student entering kindergarten at an Iowa accredited nonpublic school
- A student that attended an Iowa public school in the prior year
- A student enrolled in an accredited nonpublic school with a household income at or below 400% of the 2024 Federal Poverty Guidelines, $124,800 for a family of four
School Year 2025-26
- All Iowa resident K-12 students attending an Iowa accredited nonpublic school regardless of income
Students First Education Savings Accounts
Education savings accounts (ESAs) may be used by eligible families to cover tuition, fees, and other qualified education expenses at nonpublic schools in Iowa.
I'll assume you're avoiding the question posed because you now realize what a stupid statement you made.
As of the 2024-2025 academic year, approximately 27,866 students in Iowa utilized Education Savings Account (ESA) vouchers to attend private schools. This represents an increase of about 11,109 students compared to the previous year, where 16,757 students used vouchers.
Bleeding Heartland
Notably, a significant portion of these vouchers were allocated to students already enrolled in private education. In the 2023-2024 school year, two-thirds of voucher recipients were existing private school students.
Iowa Starting Line
The financial implications of the ESA program are substantial. In its second year, the program is projected to cost Iowa taxpayers over $200 million, exceeding initial budget allocations.
Iowa Starting Line
