(The Center Square) – Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said Wednesday that Democrats support “some sort of freedom” that starts in the classroom.
Specifically, public school classrooms.
“Democrats, do you know this? We are the party of true freedom,” Shapiro said onstage at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. “True freedom is the freedom that comes when we believe in that child’s future and they go to a great public school with great teachers.”
The governor, in his first term, also outlined other “true freedoms” included in his party’s platform, from labor unions to reproductive rights to marriage equality.
“We value our freedom,” Shapiro said, “we value our democracy and we love this country.”
But school choice was notably absent from his five-minute speech. Shapiro has long supported education scholarships and tax credits, which put him at odds with the party’s mainstream. Pennsylvania only offers the latter, but Shapiro has said he would be open to supporting vouchers if the bill reached his desk.
Therein lies the problem: Democrats, who control the House, argue that school choice diverts taxpayer money to private schools, while Republicans, who control the Senate, argue that annual increases in public school spending haven’t improved educational outcomes for students in struggling districts.
Shapiro agrees with Republicans, He is not willing to broker a compromise.This move has led to a dramatic breakdown in bipartisanship in the second half of 2023.
And while there has been little movement on education scholarships since then, Vice President Kamala Harris has called on Gov. A short list of potential vice presidential candidates.
Shapiro said on August 8 that Harris’ final choice, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, was a good choice, adding: Had to make a ‘very personal’ choiceHowever, he did not elaborate further on the matter.
But on Wednesday night, the past seemed a long time ago.
“And despite the challenges, listen to me,” he told the convention audience, “I want you to know that I am more hopeful than I’ve ever been, because I see in you the enduring hope of America.”
