Atlanta, GA, March 12, 2009 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) applauded members of the Georgia State Senate who rejected an effort to make Georgia the first state in the nation to offer universal vouchers.

"This bill would have taken money away from public schools at a time when they already are facing significant budget cuts," said Bill Nigut, ADL Southeast Regional Director. "Improving our public schools has to be the highest priority of legislators who worry about the state of education today."

ADL joined a coalition of education organizations and others in working to defeat the bill.

"We were deeply concerned that in addition to taking funds from public schools, the legislation also violated the Georgia Constitution, which expressly prohibits using public money for any religious institution," Nigut said.

Under the terms of Sen. Eric Johnson's bill, parents would have received money to send their children to private institutions, including religious schools.