Unmitigated Gall

From nj.com:

TRENTON -- A Senate committee approved legislation today creating scholarships for students to attend private schools during a raucous hearing held in front of the Statehouse Annex building.

Hundreds of demonstrators, mostly students from private and charter schools, gathered to rally for the bill. Supporters said it provides students a chance to leave failing public schools, while opponents said it undermines the public school system.

Actually, the public schools were undermined years ago, by the very same people so fiercely opposed to vouchers. They did not prevail, however. This part is priceless.

The bill was unanimously approved by the Senate Economic Growth Committee. The hearing was scheduled to be held in a normal committee room, but senators said it was packed with NJEA members when they arrived.

Sen. Raymond Lesniak (D-Union) said he asked them to make room for some of the bill's supporters, splitting the seating evenly between the two sides.

"They said we're not moving. So we'll have it outside," he said.

Statehouse staff carried out desks and chairs for senators, and the hearing -- complete with testimony and parliamentary procedure -- was held in front of hundreds of demonstrators.

"It's a great lesson in civics," Lesniak said.

Sure is and how deliciously humiliating! If anyone had told me a year ago this would be take place in one of bluest states in nation, I would have asked him what he was smoking. We are witnessing a tide change in this country.

UPDATE: Also galling is the implication taxpayers are to serve the schools, not the other way around.