I am appalled at recent positions by state House Speaker Mike Turzai (my state representative) regarding education and now abortions.
In a recent article published in the Post-Gazette, I was astonished that a lawyer representing Mr. Turzai in a school funding lawsuit stated that students have “no fundamental right to equality in education” under the state constitution (March 8, “School Districts Wait for Trial”). (This was the defending position against the lawsuit over the inequitable distribution of funding for education in our state).
Our forefathers decreed that one of the primary responsibilities of the government was to educate its citizens. If all aren’t educated the same, then how does the government fulfill its responsibilities? Who decides which citizens get the better education?
Last week, I read that Mr. Turzai has championed legislation that would prohibit abortions in the event of a birth defect, i.e., Down syndrome (April 10, “Bill Would Ban Abortion Due to Down Syndrome”). As a parent of a child with Downs, I wouldn’t trade him for anything. However, it is true that my son did not benefit from the same quality of education that my other children did, and until I put him in a private school, there was absolutely no accountability on the part of the school district for his education.
To further complicate matters, no one will employ my son on a full-time basis. He is 31 years old and has lived independently for 10 years in his own apartment and relies on public transportation. He has maintained a part-time job for 14 years. His salary for his part-time job is less than $10,000 per year. Who takes care of him when my husband and I die? Certainly not the government. Medicaid waiver money, which provides support for independent living, is not guaranteed for any individual with disabilities, and most elderly parents struggle to find a place for their children before they die.
What does Mr. Turzai propose to the parents of children with Down syndrome? A terrible educational system and no support.
I think our legislators need to take a long look at their responsibilities, and the welfare and education of Pennsylvania’s citizens should be at the top of the list. Let families and their medical providers make personal decisions.
CYNTHIA BECHTOLD
McCandless
First Published: April 16, 2018, 4:00 a.m.
