Here is a copy of a bill filed today.

Talk about privatizing public education and taking advantage of a pandemic and certain economic recession. Just read that first part again.

AN ACT TO CHANGE THE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR THE OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIP GRANT FUND PROGRAM TO ALLOW ANY STUDENT ELIGIBLE TO ATTEND A NORTH CAROLINA PUBLIC SCHOOL TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR A SCHOLARSHIP GRANT AND TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS FOR THE EXPANSION OF THE PROGRAM.

It should be noted that never in the existence of the Opportunity Grants has all of the money appropriated for it ever been used.

It also should be noted that around 90% of vouchers go to religious schools that do not have to teach a certain curriculum.

And NC’s voucher system is probably the least transparent in the nation.

But Sen. Hise is no stranger to privatizing public education. From gerrymandering districts, to attacking public school teachers, to bashing public school advocacy efforts, and just really bad math skills, Hise has shown a consistent allegiance to education reforms that weaken public schools.

Oh, and he is a fan of using the term “Nanny State” when North Carolinians call for more funding of public goods and services. That’s rich coming from a lawmaker in the only state in the country with the lowest legal minimum wage, no collective bargaining rights, no Medicaid expansion, loosely regulated voucher and charter school expansion, and a school performance grading system that measures achievement over growth.