House Dems say GOP stalemate on EdChoice vouchers yet another example of failed leadership

House Democratic lawmakers today reacted to the House passage of Senate Bill 120, which moves the beginning of the EdChoice Voucher program application period from Feb. 1, 2020 to April 1, 2020 after GOP lawmakers could not come to an agreement on a deal to fix the state’s controversial voucher system.

“It’s easy to mess things up, but harder to fix them, and once again, it’s Democrats who’ve had to come bail out failed leadership from Statehouse Republicans,” said Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron). “Democrats have been at the table ready to make a deal, but at the end of the day, the responsibly lies with our colleagues in the supermajority to get along. By kicking the can down the road, it’s our children who will suffer.”

Rep. Phil Robinson (D-Solon), the ranking Democrat on the House Education Committee, expressed his disappointment that Republican lawmakers were not able to make a deal, something he said creates more uncertainty for Ohio families:

“I’m disappointed my colleagues across the aisle weren’t able to come together to work out a timely fix, which ultimately leaves Ohio families more uncertain than before,” said Rep. Robinson. “It is my hope that we can come together in the coming weeks to find a pathway forward on a long-term solution that reins in vouchers, reforms state report cards, repairs an unconstitutional funding formula and delivers on our promise of a good, quality public education for every child in Ohio.”