LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Young Democrats of Arkansas President Allison Grigsby Sweatman responds to ruling by Pulaski County Circuit Judge Herbert Wright halting the implementation of the LEARNS Act, throwing the future of students, families, and teachers into question. 

From Young Democrats of Arkansas President Allison Grigsby Sweatman:

“Yesterday’s ruling by Judge Wright shows that the Governor and GOP supermajority rushed a bill that was unconstitutional in both content and in procedure. Since its introduction and passage, the Governor’s LEARNS scam has caused uncertainty for the future of Arkansas students.

The Arkansas GOP’s incompetence is causing even more instability for students and teachers of our state. Sarah Huckabee Sanders has played herself by forcing massive unpopular changes on our education system so quickly that her legislature couldn’t even get the emergency clause right.

Tying vouchers to teacher raises was a mistake. LEARNS Act sponsors refused to prioritize teacher pay in a separate bill, and sadly, teachers are suffering the devastating consequences of Republicans’ failure to compromise. Teacher pay raises now hang in the balance — which would not be the case if the Democrats’ RAISE Act had been passed when it was introduced.

Sanders is blaming the “radical left” for the failures of her own legislature. If ANYONE is “playing political games with our children’s futures” it’s the Governor herself. Arkansas students will always deserve better than her “far-reaching, bold, conservative education” scam.”

The Young Democrats of Arkansas was established in 1945 and is the largest youth-led political organization in the state. YDAR is an official auxiliary of the Democratic Party of Arkansas, cross-chartered with the Young Democrats of America, College Democrats of America, and High School Democrats of America, representing students across the state. For further questions or to schedule an interview, please email [email protected].