Richard, who is projected to be the Speaker of the House in 2009, said that he favors the issue for parents residing in failing districts. As for the Joplin area, which is filled with schools that have been accredited with distinction by the state, he is not so sure. But Richard said that, as speaker, he would allow that debate to happen.
Nodler also agrees that a debate should happen.
“The fact is that homeschooling parents pay taxes that support the public schools,” Nodler said. “They are paying a disproportionate cost, and there needs to be some acknowledgment of that problem.”
Not mentioned in the article is another Joplin-area legislator, Rep. Bryan Stevenson, who accepted a $7,500 contribution from Sinquefield on July 16. While the article centered around the 100 continuing committees started by Sinquefield this year, his personal contributions are also aimed at legislators who are likely to vote his way.
In a few days, when the Missouri Ethics Commission begins posting January disclosure forms, we should have an idea of whether Stevenson returned the excess money (the contribution was made one day before the Missouri Supreme Court restored Missouri's campaign contribution limits. And we should also have an idea of who else is receiving Sinquefield money.
Hopefully, the Joplin Globe's series will feature future updates on the effect money is having on education policy. The Globe has a reputation, and a well-deserved one, for having splashy investigative pieces, and then never following up.
On the other hand, if the Globe does follow through with this series, it could be a great public service.
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