Kansas Family Voice of North Dakota® testified on two important bills this week: one for infants that can’t be cared for by their mothers (often referred to as a “Safe Haven” bill) and another on Education Savings Accounts (ESAs). Together, these bills cover our children’s lives from birth to when they are young adults.
The Safe Haven expansion bill (House bill 1285), increases options for newborn infant drop off points, while at the same time increasing the likelihood of the abandoned infant’s survival and ensuring he receives the highest quality of care – a goal that you and Kansas Family Voice of North Dakota strongly support. Though this bill poignantly highlights the need to address the results of a pervasive culture that continues to devalue life, we have an abiding belief in the worth and dignity of every human being and we must protect those who cannot protect themselves. If this bill helps rescue the life of even one child, the effort will be entirely worthwhile and certainly worth the support of our Legislature.
Kansas Family Voice of North Dakota also testified in favor of the Education Savings Account bill (Senate bill 2142) with some proposed amendments. We firmly believe that parents have the God-given responsibility and right to direct the upbringing and education of their children. Toward this end, we believe that ESAs are an excellent option to consider when it comes to school choice.
Education Savings Accounts allow parents to control public-funds (that are already designated for their child’s public education) and use those funds for things like private-school tuition and textbooks. ESAs allow parents to fully tailor their child’s entire educational experience. Families know best what type of education their children need to succeed, and ESAs give families the keys to unlock that experience for their children. Kansas Family Voice of North Dakota wants to help launch children to success and access educational opportunities best suited for them to lay this critical foundation.
As always, thank you for your prayers, responses to our Action Alerts, and financial support. Together, these two bills will further ensure that our North Dakotan children are not only cherished, but given even more opportunities to realize their God-given potential!
Sincerely,
Mark Jorritsma
President and Executive Director