[CSPS] Fred Brown's office and voucher issue

[Lynne Vallone]

Dear CSPSers,

Given the earlier emails on the topic of private school vouchers and Fred 
Brown's office, I thought that I would share my experience.  I responded to 
the TFN call to contact Brown's office and protest private school 
vouchers.  When I talked to Brown's assistant (and I didn't ask her name), 
however, she expressed puzzlement over this "bill" on vouchers.

This concerned me and I contacted Heather Alden at TFN.  Below is our 
correspondence.  I now believe that Brown's office may be stalling and, in 
fact, they are the ones who are "playing dumb." Heather's response to me 
appears first.  In the future, it may be well worth it to mention SB442 in 
our calls. --Lynne Vallone
-----------------------

Lynne,
There are many bills that could take vouchers and we are in a wait and see
situation.  Today, vouchers were amended on to SB442.  I think they were
just giving you a stall tactic. The staff knows vouchers could be coming
down several different pipes. The call was well worth it. It's good to hear
that they are hearing from folks.

Thanks for writing back.

Best,
Heather

-----Original Message-----
From: Lynne Vallone [mailto:l-vallone at tamu.edu]
Sent: Wednesday, May 18, 2005 2:55 PM
To: heather at tfn.org
Subject: private school vouchers


I have called Fred Brown's office (they said that they are receiving a lot
of calls) to voice opposition to private school vouchers. However, they are
asking for a bill number and one was not provided in the TFN email.

To strengthen the case, it would really be helpful to provide such
information.  If such a bill is NOT coming up soon we will look pretty dumb.


Lynne Vallone
Professor of English
Texas A&M University
College Station, TX  77843-4227
Phone:  979-845-8336
FAX:  979-862-2292
l-vallone at tamu.edu