Video: Eklund, Tuttle Discuss House Bill 136

The Mentor Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a Q & A with State Sen. John Eklund Friday morning at Seeker's Coffee House in Mentor.

Members of the chamber asked Eklund (R-Munson Township) questions on topics as varied as bipartisanship, local tax collection and football fandom.

Mentor Schools Board of Education Member Tom Tuttle asked Eklund his thoughts regarding House Bill 136.

For those who do no know, HB 136 would create a voucher program that students could use to attend private schools if passed. The sole qualifier for the voucher program is the student's household income.

This differs from the current voucher program because it extends vouchers to students in all districts, even those with high-performing public schools, as opposed to just those who live in districts with struggling schools.

Both Tuttle individually and the Mentor Schools Board of Education have stated their opposition toward the bill.

Eklund said he thought the intention of the bill was to create competition in education, which is good. But it also might create an unequal playing field, which is bad.

Eklund concluded by saying he didn't think the bill would go anywhere this year.

Other videos from the Eklund Q & A:

• State Sen. John Eklund on bipartisanship
• State Sen. John Eklund on "the brain drain"
• Eklund, Mentor City Manager Kenneth Filipiak discuss local versus state income tax collection