A wolf in sheep's clothing, Part III. - GAE & PAGE side with Democrats & say they oppose use of state funds for private school vouchers.

In a 2-3-05 post entitled "Perdue launches a new effort to pass faith-based initiative. - A wolf in sheep's clothing, Part I," I wrote:

"I urge our Democratic leaders to be patient in their comments until we get the word out about how the Gov. is attempting to deceive the public. Be factual about the intent of the legislation, but not partisan.

"Let's get the state's two teacher organizations GAE and PAGE to rally their members, all the while siting back until the public comes to realize why the Gov. really wants this constitutional amendment.

(What Governor Perdue really wants in the constitutional amendment was the subject of a 2-3-05 post entitled "Everything you wanted to know about the "Blaine Amendment" but were afraid to ask. - A wolf in sheep's clothing, Part II.)

According to today's PI, the rallying has begun:

Teachers won't say "amen" to Sonny's amendment

The state's two largest teacher organizations on Tuesday took a big, public step away from Gov. Sonny Perdue's constitutional amendment to reinforce the right of the state to subcontract some of its work to religious institutions — a practice already very common.

Proponents and opponents of the amendment agree — though Perdue might not — that it would allow the use of vouchers for parochial schools. Democrats in the Senate on Tuesday came up with alternative wording — and the endorsement of both the Georgia Association of Educators [GAE]and the Professional Association of Georgia Educators [PAGE].

The Democratic version, offered by Sens. Tim Golden of Valdosta and Doug Stoner of Smyrna, makes clear that state funds could not be used for private school vouchers. "Those who know our schools the best — educators — support our plan," Golden bragged.