Gov. Bobby Jindal vows to appeal decision against Louisiana's school voucher program

Calling it a “travesty,” Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal today said the state will appeal a ruling by State District Judge Tim Kelley that Louisiana’s school voucher program is unconstitutional.

That opportunity is a chance that every child deserves and we will continue the fight to give it to them.

— Gov. Bobby Jindal (@BobbyJindal) November 30, 2012

The opinion sadly ignores the rights of families who do not have the means necessary to escape failing schools.

— Gov. Bobby Jindal (@BobbyJindal) November 30, 2012

On behalf of the citizens that cast their votes for reform, the parents who want more choices, and the kids who deserve a chance…

— Gov. Bobby Jindal (@BobbyJindal) November 30, 2012

we will appeal today’s decision, and I’m confident we will prevail.

— Gov. Bobby Jindal (@BobbyJindal) November 30, 2012

The ruling is not an injunction and will have no immediate effect on around 5,000 children who current attend private schools under the voucher program. Jindal said that the ruling was not unexpected. Kelley argued that the voucher program diverts funds intended to support public schools and thus violates Louisiana’s constitution.

All along, we expected this to be decided by the Louisiana Supreme Court.

— Gov. Bobby Jindal (@BobbyJindal) November 30, 2012

Louisiana Sen. Mary Landrieu, a Democrat, also weighed in, calling the voucher program not only unconstitutional but “unnecessarily aggressive.”

No surprise that @BobbyJindal's unnecessarily aggressive & overreaching voucher plan ruled unconstitutional. It was a step too far.

— Mary Landrieu (@SenLandrieu) November 30, 2012

The NEA called the decision “a major victory for students.”

Louisiana judge, in a major victory for students, finds state’s school voucher program unconstitutional. http://t.co/HKYWN3m4

— NEA Education Votes (@edvotes) November 30, 2012

A victory? Supporters of school choice disagree.

https://twitter.com/ellencarmichael/status/274621425636237313

Louisiana's teachers unions want to protect their revenue feed for running one of the worst school systems in the nation.

— Ben Domenech (@bdomenech) November 30, 2012

And Louisiana wonders why Johnny can't read.http://t.co/CSOFNTFR

— ThomRog1621 (@ThomRog1621) November 30, 2012