Hinkle's voting history

erify my statement that he is opposed to supporting education almost 100% of the time.

Hinkle contends, “I have a long history of promoting the need for a good education for young people.”  That is more than an entertaining statement.  It is hilarious!

Let’s look at facts. 

In the last ten years has Hinkle endorsed or spoken out on behalf of any local school levy danywhere in this county? 

How do teachers in the county’s local school systems view Hinkle?  They see him as non-supportive of education and proper funding of education. 

Look at some bills in the last legislature relating to education and Hinkle’s vote.

A bill to remove the constitutional authority of the state board of public education and make it subject to legislative veto as it relates to accreditation was voted for by Hinkle.  Luckily it died in the House.

Teachers and other state employees negotiated a pay plan with the governor and it was submitted to the legislature for approval as the law requires.  Hinkle was one of only five Senators voting against it. 

Another bill attempted, unconstitutionally, to grant a tax credit for many things involving non-public schools.  It included tax credits for tuition, and even granted the credit to corporations.  Hinkle voted yes, but, thankfully, the bill failed to pass the Senate.

Hinkle introduced and voted for a right to work bill for higher education.  It was defeated.

Hinkle voted for a bill to require drug testing, without cause, of anyone handling medical information.  Thankfully it died in a House committee.  It is likely that almost every school in our county handles medical information relating to some students. [e.g. allergies and what to do in case of anaphylactic shock, etc]. 

Hinkle, in willy nilly fashion, supports cutting all budgets by something like 6% this year, but not those of legislators who cannot vote on their salaries but certainly could donate an identical percentage of their gross income as a legislator [salary, mileage, insurance, etc.] back to the state.  Heck, such a donation would even be an income tax deduction for Hinkle.

Hinkle also obfuscates his lack of support for education by saying we can’t have good schools without a good infrastructure and decent jobs.  Well, I really want to thank him for his spear throwing bill which will create so many new industries and decent jobs in Sanders County and vastly improve our infrastructure.

But the crux of the matter is simply one question.  Sen. Hinkle, at this time,  are you working for and will you vote for increased funding for our local schools or a reduction?

by Ernest Scherzer