PoliGraph: Entenza wrong on Emmer’s education record
DFL hopeful Matt Entenza says he'll pull Minnesota out of No Child Left Behind if he's governor - and that his Republican opponent, Tom Emmer, won't.
"George Bush's No Child Left Behind is hurting our kids," states a voice over in a recent Entenza television ad. "Tom Emmer supports Bush's failed policy."
In fact, Emmer's never been a fan of the controversial testing program.
The Evidence
Create a More Connected Minnesota
MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.
Entenza's campaign says Emmer voted against a plan to drop No Child Left Behind in 2008. And at first blush, it would seem that way.
But parliamentary maneuvering on the House floor muddied the intent of the amendment Emmer voted against. It didn't just end the program; it contained other unrelated provisions.
In early 2009, Emmer co-sponsored a bill that would have prevented implementation of No Child Left Behind.
Later that year, Emmer told Minnesota Public Radio that he opposes No Child Left Behind.
"I object to the federal government having any law that tells the state of Minnesota, more importantly parents of children in the state of Minnesota, this is how your schools are going to be run," he said on Dec. 11, 2009.
Emmer supports holding teachers accountable, spokesman Bill Walsh said. He just doesn't think the federal government should tell the state how to do it.
The Verdict
Emmer has made clear that he's opposed to No Child Left Behind. Notwithstanding the vote against the muddied House floor amendment, Entenza's claim is false.
Sources
Matt Entenza for Governor, education television ad, accessed Aug. 3, 2010
Minnesota Public Radio News, Interview with Tom Emmer, Dec. 11, 2009
Minnesota Public Radio News, Votetracker: Withdraw from No Child Left Behind, accessed Aug. 2, 2010
Minnesota Public Radio News, No love for NCLB in race for governor, by Tim Pugmire, Dec. 11, 2009
Minnesota House of Representatives, House File 614, accessed Aug. 3, 10
Minnesota House of Representatives, Journal of the House, April 28, 2008
Interview, Bill Walsh, spokesman, Tom Emmer, Aug. 3, 2010
Interview, Jeremy Drucker, spokesman, Matt Entenza, Aug. 2, 2010
Interview David Strom, research director, Tom Emmer, Aug. 3, 2010
More