Are lawmakers using Navajo children as voucher pawns?

The war against Arizona’s public schools is a chess game. And each time the Republican-controlled Legislature has tried to siphon money from public schools and put it into some form of vouchers it has used children as pawns.

So there’s good reason to be skeptical about Senate Bill 1224 which would allow students on Native American reservations to use Empowerment Scholarship Account money at schools up to 2 miles into neighboring states.

The bill passed out of committee along party lines. No surprise.

It was sponsored by Republican Sylvia Allen, who says it is meant to support families on the Navajo Reservation who use the ESA funds at Hilltop Christian School, a private school across the state line in New Mexico.

“Those little children ... are thriving where they’re going to school, and these parents need to be supported,” Allen said.

Sounds noble, doesn’t it?

And to question such a gesture might seem cynical and unfeeling. After all, would some Arizona lawmakers actually be so low as to use Navajo Nation children as pawns to expand the state’s school voucher program?

Well, considering the fact they’ve already used disabled kids as pawns to expand the voucher program ...

... and military kids as pawns ... ... and foster kids as pawns ...

... and kindergartners ...

... I’d say, yes.

When the Legislature created the ESA program nearly 10 years ago, the Republicans who control the Capitol said that fewer than 100 students would be affected by the legislation. That’s always the argument. Something along the lines of, “It’s only for a few kids.”

Republican lawmakers have then used whatever foothold they’ve gained to expand the program.

And don’t forget how Gov. Doug Ducey and these same lawmakers tried to completely erode the public school system by expanding vouchers to ALL Arizona school children. A way to give tax dollars to already wealthy parents to use to pay part of the cost of sending their kids to private schools.

Volunteers with Save Our Schools fought back and voters turned down the scheme by a 2-1 vote.

So maybe it’s not being cynical at all to question this latest bill.

Maybe it’s more along the lines of fool me once ... or twice ... or thrice ...

The Republicans who control the Legislature and their powerful friends have no intention of following the will of the vast majority of Arizona voters. They are continuing their assault on public schools.

As Sen. Sally Ann Gonzales said, “If we pass this bill, we’re setting a precedent. These Navajo children are being used as pawns, after this passes, to expand ESA voucher programs.”

Gee, what would ever give her that idea?