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Saturday, January 21 2023
This blog is written at a crucial moment in our state, as debate will begin Monday afternoon to address the “Students First Act” which would create education savings accounts, or what many of us know as vouchers, to go towards funding costs of students at private schools. Not only would this fundamentally alter education as we know it in Iowa, this is a matter of great importance for United Methodists, and of particular importance for St. Paul’s. Our United Methodist Social Principles, found in our Book of Discipline states, “We believe that every person has the right to education. We also believe that the responsibility for education of the young rests with the family, faith communities, and the government. In society, this function can best be fulfilled through public policies that ensure access for all persons to free public elementary and secondary schools and to post-secondary schools of their choice” (Paragraph 164.E). Furthermore, “Our heritage should lead us to defend the public schools and to rejoice that they nearly reflect our country’s racial, ethnic, and religious diversity now more than ever before” (The Book of Resolutions, p. 218). The bills to be debated Monday on the Iowa House and Senate floors do not reflect a commitment to using public funds for public education. This ought to be a concern for all Iowans, for United Methodists in Iowa, and especially for a church that has declared its love for children and youth and a commitment to pursue justice. Yet, if you are still unsure of United Methodists taking part in this discussion, our Book of Resolutions states clearly for us, “We specifically oppose tuition tax credits, school vouchers, or any other mechanism that directly or indirectly allows government funds to support religious schools at the primary and secondary level” (p. 479). Not only do we hold this belief, but we are called to act on it. Under a “call to action,” our Resolutions calls us to “advocate at the state and local level for adequate public school funding and equitable distribution of state funds” (p. 222). The bills to be debated Monday divert public money away from public schools, which serve over 90% of Iowa’s students to disproportionately benefit fewer than 10% of them. Furthermore, this legislation will pull dollars away from rural public schools, and students there have no option of private schooling within driving distance. This bill would not require the same level of accountability and oversight for private schools as public schools undergo. And, the majority of Iowans do not support this legislation. We have a voice, and right now is the time to use it! A Call to Action Please email both Iowa legislators in the House and Senate (list below). Here is a template you can use. It is a best practice that we write one message, but send it individually to each member with an appropriate salutation (rather than sending one mass email to them all). Dear (Representative or Senator) ________, I am a resident of Cedar Rapids, and I am writing to ask you to vote “no” on the Students First Act, which would divert taxpayer money from serving the majority of Iowa’s students to disproportionately benefit a small amount of children and youth. As a (parent, grandparent, teacher, pastor, United Methodist, etc.), I am concerned by this because…(give a brief personal reason here). And, if you oppose this for no other reason, please vote “no” since the nonpartisan Legislative Services Agency has yet had the time to clarify the true cost of this bill. As a leader elected to serve the people of Iowa and our best interest, I again ask you to vote “no” on the Students First Act. Thank you, Senators who are believed to be on the fence
Representatives who are believed to be on the fence
Second, we can call the Iowa Capitol switchboard and leave a message for our legislators:
The time is short, but our calling to pursue the common good beckons us to respond and to do so swiftly. As you write and/or call, be sure to keep it short, simple, and sweet. Since this is moving so quickly, we have canceled the Tuesday evening letter-writing event. Please send emails instead, and pray. And, one last request: after all that, please send one more email: let Becca (rnims@stpaulsumc.org) and Pastor Jonathan (jheifner@stpaulsumc.org) know you participated. We want to know how widely our shared voice is being heard in the state. In Christ’s Love and Power, Helpful information was provided by Interfaith Alliance of Iowa |
