Statement on Utah Governor Gary Herbert’s Special Needs Veto

The American Federation for Children joins local and national allies in expressing disappointment at Governor Gary Herbert’s veto of HB 332, a bill providing expanded educational options to special needs children.
Statement from John Schilling, President of the American Federation of Children:
“This bill would have provided families of special needs children the educational flexibility they need to thrive–flexibility already available to families in many other states. Parents know that every child has unique abilities and needs, and for decades now, educational policies have shifted to offer greater customization to meet those needs. Utah’s robust charter and online learning options provide customization for many families and it is unfortunate that Governor Herbert was not willing to extend this opportunity to families of special needs children.
“We applaud the work of Representative Mike Schultz and Senator Lincoln Fillmore in sponsoring this legislation and we hope that Utah’s next governor will have the courage to provide the leadership in education that Utah families deserve.”