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  Issue No 77 Official Organ of LaborNet 10 November 2000  

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News

American Voters Reject Vouchers

By Wayne Patterson - Country Organiser, NSW Teachers Federation

As the Australian Senate debates the States Grants Bill, voters in California and Michigan have defeated proposals for private school vouchers by a two to one margin.

Under the voucher proposals, students enrolled in public schools with poor results in standardised tests would be eligible for vouchers which could be used to pay fees in private schools.

The American doctrine of the separation of church and state has largely prevented direct government funding of private schools. Vouchers are seen by many as a means of circumventing this doctrine by providing government funds to students' families. Families could then choose to spend their vouchers on private schools.

The voucher proposals were strongly opposed by American teacher unions which argued the proposals would siphon funds from needy schools and marginalise schools in disadvantaged areas by encouraging the flight of students from middle class families.

Republican presidential candidate George W. Bush supported the voucher proposals; Democratic candidate Al Gore opposed them. Despite school funding being largely a responsibility of state and local governments, education was a major issue in the presidential race.

The voucher proposals were the subject of referendums in Michigan and California where issues can be placed on the ballot by petition. The Michigan proposal also included mandatory testing of teachers in their subject area. The California proposal would have limited state and local authority to require private schools to meet standards, including state academic requirements and limited future health, safety, zoning, and building restrictions on private schools.

Voucher proposals in both states were backed by wealthy conservatives, a venture capitalist in California and the founder of Amway Corporation in Michigan.


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*   Issue 77 contents

In this issue
Features
*  US Election: Democracy Version 1.0: Time for an Upgrade America
This week the world's greatest democracy is looking pretty rickety. Michael Gadiel reports from the front line.
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*  Interview: Crikey! A Corporate Commando
He may be a lapsed Lib, but Stephen Mayne is making life hell in the boardrooms of corporate Australia. And he might have some clues for unions too.
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*  Unions: Class of 2000 Hit Redfern
They're just out of acting school and straight into the union. Tomorrow's stars and today's union members.
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*  International: US Cleaners Fast for Justice
Talks between striking janitors and the cleaning contractors who employ them resumed on Tuesday at the Sheraton Hotel in Stamford, Connecticut.
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*  History: Racing Radio
The Cup is over, but the races go on, and so does Labor council's radio station, 2KY, as it celebrates its 75th Anniversary.
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*  Legal: A Pandora's In-Box
Screening of employee's emails could be in breach of telecommunications laws, according to Minter Ellison lawyer Megan Dixon.
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*  Satire: Our Snobs Are Tops
Tony Moore on why the lucky country has always been a tosser�s paradise.
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*  Review: Brassed Off With a Tutu
Billy Elliott, currently a hit at the box office, gives a new twist to the working class rags to riches story.
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News
»  Games Workers Still Waiting on Closing Ceremony
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»  Showdown: Howard Faces Court Over Rail Sell-Off
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»  World Awaits Landmark Slave Labour Decision
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»  American Voters Reject Vouchers
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»  Illawarra Fights The Big Bastard
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»  Retailers Rethink FairWear Retreat
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»  Killer Holidays: Activist Fired for Taking Vacation
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»  ANZ Faces Contracts Challenge
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»  Cup Workers Score Heady Brew
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»  Meals on Wheels Turns Mean
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»  Wild Horses Get Maurie's Goat
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»  Labor Council backs Souths Rally
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»  Sisters Celebrate Four Years
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»  Reith to Face the Music
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Columns
»  The Soapbox
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»  Sport
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»  Trades Hall
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»  Tool Shed
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Letters to the editor
»  Nader no Fels
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»  Sartor's Veladrome
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