Letters to the Editor

Letter: Diversion of public school funds

I am very concerned about school funding, especially since public school funding has been diverted to pay for private and religious schools for 10 years. It has come to my attention that then-Sen.

Mike Dunleavy submitted legislation that approved these payments 10 years ago when he was in the Legislature.

At that time, he noted it was unconstitutional and paired the legislation with addition legislation to address this problem, presumably to change the state constitution. The payment legislation passed, but the change to the constitution did not. I am only a layman, but this sounds like he and others knew the payments would be improper and unconstitutional, but said nothing and took no action thereby enabling unconstitutional payments. How is this not improper, unethical, and illegal? I am having serious issues with this.

To be clear, I do not support and have never supported public funds intended for public education to go private and religious schools. Public education is provided to all and should be for the benefit of all. If parents opt for schools outside of public education system, then that should be on them, not on the public. My question: What is taking place to hold the people accountable who knew this was improper, unethical and likely illegal?

— Michael L. Mott

Eagle River

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