Indiana Republicans have made two big gains in education policy. On Thursday a majority of the Indiana Senate approved what could become one of the most expansive school voucher programs in the nation. That comes just a day after the governor signed a new law that restricts collective bargaining for public school teachers.
Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels visited Valparaiso on Thursday to tout the momentum he and the Republican-controlled legislature have seen for their education agenda.
Speaking on the collective bargaining issue, Daniels, a Republican, deflected criticism of being anti-union. He said, under the new legislation, teachers still have the right to bargain over salaries and benefits; they are only losing out on bargaining over things that have nothing to do with educating children. He cited things like like the color of paint inside teachers’ lounges or the temperature inside of a school.
"This is the year we really transform Indiana for the better. I’m really very grateful for what the General Assembly has agreed to help us do," Daniels said before the Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce at Strongbow Inn. "Now, we have to go and make that system work."
The restrictions on teachers’ collective bargaining take effect on July 1.
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http://www.wbez.org/story/hoosier-lawmakers-restrict-collective-bargaining-teachers-vouchers-next-85521