During the previous spring, a pivotal moment unfolded for Georgia lawmaker Rep. Don Parsons, a Marietta Republican, as he prepared to cast his vote on a momentous legislative proposal. At that critical juncture, he received an unexpected and noteworthy phone call.
Rep. Parsons had just declared his intention to diverge from his party’s stance on a K-12 private school voucher bill.
The unexpected caller was none other than former U.S. Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos, a prominent advocate for school choice and a billionaire. Despite the divergence in positions, the conversation was characterized by politeness, professionalism, and respect, as Parsons recounted. DeVos earnestly appealed to him, urging a reconsideration of his stancek.
