May Noticias
Monthly E-Newletter from Hispanic CREO • May 2008




Arizona’s Disabled and Foster Children in Peril Following Appellate Court Ruling
Phoenix, AZ – An Arizona appellate court declared the state’s voucher programs for disabled students and foster children to be unconstitutional in a ruling filed on May 15, 2008. Their decision represents a departure from Arizona’s legal and legislative history and put the education of these underprivileged children at risk.

The three-judge panel claimed that the programs were unconstitutional because they violated a clause in the state Constitution that forbids providing monetary aid to private and parochial schools. However, in reality, the programs aid families, not schools. The vouchers are distributed directly to families, who can then decide which school their children should attend.

“This is a very misguided decision by the Arizona court, legally and morally” said Anthony J. Colón, Hispanic CREO’s Interim President, “This ruling is not based on any legal precedent and it jeopardizes the education of some of our neediest children. We stand in unity with those who are challenging this ruling and support them in their efforts to win back the educational options that disabled students and foster children so desperately need.”

The ruling is not expected to have an impact on school choice programs in other states, as it is related to a provision that is only present in the state constitutions of Arizona, California, Alaska, and Michigan.





Bi-Partisan Support Yields a Victory for Florida’s CTC Scholarship Program

Tallahassee, FL – On May 2, 2008, a major victory was won for Florida’s children when the Florida State Legislature passed a bill to expand the Step Up for Students Corporate Tax Credit Scholarship Program. The program currently provides more than 20,000 scholarships to low-income families to send their children to private or public schools of their choice. With the passing of this bill, the program’s cap will be increased by $30 million, allowing it to serve 6,000 additional children.

“We are thrilled that the Florida State Legislature voted in favor of our children’s futures,” said Anthony J. Colón, president of Hispanic CREO, “The expansion of this program will give many more children in Florida the opportunity to attend a school that will serve their educational needs – and propel them towards success as adults.”

Hispanic CREO’s influence was critical in the passing of this bill, as our organization worked to educate Florida’s Hispanic legislators about the importance of educational options and the Hispanic community’s wide approval of this program. As a result, every single member of the Hispanic Legislative Caucus – including two Democrats who had never before supported choice in education – voted to expand the program.





Help Hispanic CREO Protect Educational Choice in Arizona

Phoenix, AZ – Arizona’s children need your help! Speak out against the appellate court’s misguided ruling by volunteering to write letters to the editor about this issue. These letters are quick and easy to write, and Hispanic CREO will help you!
For more information, please contact Rodrigo Alvarez at ralvarez@hcreo.org.

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HISPANIC COUNCIL FOR REFORM AND EDUCATIONAL OPTIONS
2600 Virginia Avenue NW, Suite 408
Washington, D.C. 20037
(202) 625-6766 / Fax (202) 625-6767 /
Toll free 1-877-888-2736 / www.hcreo.org