SCHOOL CHOICE LATE-BREAKING SENATE ISSUE (IN)
"STEVE GRAVES RECEIVED $9,723 FROM A GROUP THAT SUPPORTS SCHOOL CHOICE.
Muncie Star-Press - By SETH SLABAUGH [5/2/2006]

"MUNCIE -- Steve Graves, one of the three Democratic candidates for state senator in district 26, recently received a $9,723 contribution from All Children Matter. ACM is a national group that supports school choice, including vouchers that a public-school student may use to pay for entrance to another public school or to a private or religious school.

The candidate's opponents, Lewis Coulter and Sue Errington, criticized the contribution, which Graves reported (as required by law) as a supplemental large donation of $1,000 or more after the close of the pre-primary campaign finance reporting period on April 7.

In the 2004 election, ACM donated to more than 30 Republican legislative candidates in Indiana, and also gave to the Indiana Republican Central Committee, and other Republican candidates, including Gov. Mitch Daniels. It gave to only a couple of Democrats.

"They like the fact I am a Democrat and open to discussing ideas," Graves said. "I'm a firm believer that parents ought to have a choice where they send their kids. I told them up front I was making no commitments but I am open to finding a solution. (Democratic Indianapolis Mayor) Bart Peterson is also liked by this group."

ACM paid $8,723 for a campaign brochure promoting Graves's position on health care. ACM also made a direct contribution to Graves of $1,000.

"You wonder why an educational group is not doing a brochure on education," said Errington. (Republican former Lt. Gov.) John Mutz is chair of this group. It seemed a little odd that a group that seems very conservative and is chaired by a prominent Republican is seeking to have an impact on a Democratic primary."

Errington added: "Vouchers seem to be the main way those who are trying to weaken public schools, that's the route they are going."

Coulter said of ACM: "I know it's headed up by Republicans. I don't think vouchers ought to come from the taxpayers. If half the people decide to send their kids to a private school, who's going to pay for it all?"

The Indiana General Assembly in 2005 and 2006 killed efforts to create school vouchers allowing parents to use state money to pay for their children to attend private schools.

According to ACM, school choice is not a right-wing issue. Democratic supporters include U.S. Sens. Joe Lieberman and Diane Feinstein.

"It's sad that they (Coulter and Errington) want to discount someone's views because of pure partisan politics," Graves said. "That's ignorant, close-minded thinking. Who cares if John Mutz is the chair? If he has a valid point, I want to listen to it. I think the people of Delaware County deserve better than a bunch of political hacks."

Coulter responded, "It just seems funny that Mutz is the chair of this group that's not from around here, that nobody's seemed to have heard of before, that he (Graves) is dealing with."

Errington responded, "All I can say is primaries are where Democrats pick their candidates and Republicans pick theirs."

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