Governor changes direction on cuts for parochial school transportation

Governor Tom Vilsack has changed his tune about cuts for Iowa’s parochial schools. Vilsack proposed a 70 percent cut in state aid that pays to bus students to parochial schools in Iowa. Catholic bishops around the state held news conferences Tuesday and Wednesday, saying their schools would be forced to close their doors because of the cut. Hundreds of parents called or e-mailed Vilsack’s office this week, and the Governor said their comments were “impressive and impassioned”. Vilsack, who is Catholic, reversed his call for a cut and told the Archbishop of the Dubuque Archdiocese the news during a phone call yesterday.