Del. Chris Head wanted to remind us about the Republican talking point “government doesn’t create jobs, but it sure can kill them.” (“Delegate’s job: empower employers to create them,” Jan. 9 commentary.)

Head needs to be reminded that government does create jobs. Teachers, fire fighters, police officers, bridge builders and pot-hole fillers all hold important jobs that support and protect our society.

Last year, Head voted to give taxpayer money, through tax credits, to private schools instead of giving our public schools the support they need. My daughter is a kindergarten teacher. She teaches 24 children. Other kindergarten teachers have 25 and even 26 children in their classes.

This is an unacceptable student-to-teacher ratio. Our children deserve better. Future employers are going to need to be able to hire well-educated people.

Head needs to do the business of the people when he is in Richmond. Teachers need more than a 2 percent raise. Teachers need to teach children in an environment that is conducive to success. Our government is failing our children and future businesses in Virginia by not providing schools with the funding they need to hire enough teachers.

SUSAN QUIST

ROANOKE

Weather Journal

5 hours ago