‘I Wish I Could Legislate What Parents Do,’ NV Dem Chairwoman Says

Democratic Lawmaker Dismisses Parental Rights and School Choice

Are parents entitled to have a say in their children’s education? Not according to Daniele Monroe-Moreno, the head of the Nevada Democratic Party. During a recent committee hearing on a GOP-led school choice bill, Monroe-Moreno dismissed parental input in public schools, saying she wishes she could “legislate what parents do” but sadly “cannot.”

Defending Public Schools

Monroe-Moreno defended Las Vegas area public schools, which ranked second-worst in the nation in 2021, by dismissing criticism of the schools as misplaced “parent input.” She claimed that public schools have “amazing educators” who did a great job with her kids and others. However, unlike her kids, Monroe-Moreno went to private school as a child, an opportunity she said she received because her mom “worked two jobs” to afford tuition.

Opposing School Choice

Monroe-Moreno argued that Nevada Republican governor Joe Lombardo’s school choice bill is not necessary. For her, parents don’t need public funds to send their kids to private school because those parents already have “options” when it comes to their children’s education. Lombardo’s bill would create a state Office of School Choice and increase public funding for a scholarship program that helps parents send their children to a registered private school. Monroe-Moreno on Wednesday blasted that provision, arguing that the money should go to public school teachers “so they can succeed and really work to have success.”

Backwards Thinking

Better Nevada PAC, a political group associated with Lombardo, blasted Monroe-Moreno’s comments as “offensive and out of touch.” “Monroe-Moreno’s offensive and out-of-touch comments are not only an attack on Nevada parents, but they demonstrate the exact kind of backwards thinking from politicians that has put Nevada schools among the last in the nation,” said Better Nevada spokesman John Burke.

Democratic Party Turmoil

Monroe-Moreno took over the Nevada Democratic Party in March following a tumultuous period for the party under former chair Judith Whitmer. Whitmer was accused of working against elected officials in her own party, accusations that Whitmer said were part of a “smear campaign.” Nevada’s top Democrats endorsed Monroe-Moreno’s candidacy for chair, including Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen and Reps. Susie Lee, Dina Titus, and Steven Horsford.