2016 NV Senate race: on Education

Brian Sandoval: Supports Education Savings Accounts and school choice

Sandoval is a major supporter of the Education Savings Accounts. "I strongly support school choice," he said in a statement. Lawsuits holding up the program "potentially deprive parents of the opportunity to determine the educational future of their children."

Nevada's school choice law is a national leader in the options it provides for students. Parents can have 90% of the funds that would have been spent on their child in their public school deposited into a restricted-use spending account for private-school tuition [and other educational expenses].

Catherine Cortez Masto: Opposes Education Savings Accounts and school choice

The announcement came after the political action committees of the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers each donated $10,000 to Masto's campaign, the maximum legal amount. Teachers unions vehemently oppose school choice, as it redirects tax dollars to schools whose teachers are less likely to be unionized.

Cortez Masto says the program takes money away from public schools. Asked about how to help children stuck in low-performing schools, she said she supports investments like the tax package backed by Republican Gov. Brian Sandoval and approved last year.