Hey friends,
Just a quick update on my homeschooling series from last week – for those who are following along. And thanks to everyone who responded with support and ideas. I can’t tell you enough how much I appreciate it.
As a quick refresher, a state senator in Virginia put forth a bill (S.B. 1031) that would eliminate the religious exemption for homeschooling in the state. It’s nothing more than an overt attack on homeschool freedom and religious liberty.
When we left off last week, I attended the Education and Health subcommittee hearing at which they planned to review and vote for S.B. 1031. I’d never done anything like that before… I usually try to avoid politics as much as possible.
But in this case I felt compelled to show up and voice my opposition to their attack on liberty. I wanted them to know that they wouldn’t be able to sneak this one in without some backlash. And it seems I wasn’t the only one…
Homeschoolers packed the room for that hearing. It was standing room only two rows deep. So guess what they did?
After keeping us waiting for an hour, they postponed review of the bill until the following week. Classy. But I guess it worked.
The subcommittee did indeed review S.B. 1031 the following Monday – in front of a lighter opposition audience. They voted to move the bill forward by a count of 3 to 2.
From there, S.B. 1031 moved to a vote before the full Education and Health committee. It passed by a count of 9 to 6.
Going in, I couldn’t figure out how in the world those senators who supported the bill would be able to defend it. How do you explain your support for an overt attack against 0.6% of the population?
I should have known better…
The bill’s patron claimed that the religious exemption deprived children of a sound education. She went on to explain how too many of our kids were missing out on a proper education… and how the exemption was the only thing in place to prevent government from solving the problem.
And she had a trick up her sleeve.
The senator arranged for ten young adults to come forward in support of her bill. These individuals claimed to have been homeschooled under the religious exemption, and they each said that it deprived them of the education they wish they received.
I don’t think I’ve ever felt the urge to shake my head in utter disgust and chuckle whole-heartedly at the same time.
By that logic, should we consider abolishing the public school system if ten people stand up and claim that it did not serve them well? I bet I could find way more than ten people just in my own circle.
And that’s the point our great Homeschool Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) attorney made at the hearing. Several of the opposing senators stood up and spoke out against the bill as well. Many thanks to them for having the courage to do so.
So now it appears to be a waiting game. The Education and Health committee sent the bill over to the Senate Finance Committee for their review. If it gets out of there, then it will go to the floor for an official Senate-wide vote.
I threw up a makeshift “Defend Homeschool Freedom” campaign page in response. We’re also looking into taking out some spots in local newspapers throughout the state. And we’re going to look at putting up a billboard in Richmond… but I’m not sure if that will be feasible.
If this speaks to you, my little campaign page is here: https://phoenicianleague.com/defendhomeschoolfreedom
Thanks again for allowing me to share this story with you. We’re going to get back into finance and economics next week. And I have to say, it’s getting especially interesting out there…
-Joe Withrow