HOUSE VOTES TODAY!
HB 7189 scheduled for a third reading and final passage today.
Last night, proponents of HB 7189 taught us all a big lesson. We get it.
House Representatives are determined to blatantly ignore the will of the people. Over 70 parents were denied their chance to speak at Monday's Policy Council meeting. Speakers from the Florida Chamber and Council of 100 were ushered in, nestled into front row seats and were the first to speak. Short view: money talks. Long view: voters make legislators walk.
House Bill 7189 is NOT fiscally responsible. It is a $2 Billion dollar unfunded mandate. This bill takes money away from our classrooms, does not help teachers, removes almost all local control and allows state government to intrude into every aspect our kids' school experience. We already have a $3.2 Billion budget shortfall. What are they thinking?
We are being micro-managed to death by Legislators who are not educators themselves and the truth is that most don't even have their kids enrolled in public schools.
Florida is standing on the precipice of an enormous funding cliff. The Florida House seems determined to push our kids right over the edge. This has got to stop. They don't adequately fund education now. Florida hovers near 50th in the nation.
Governor Crist needs to hear from you. He has the VETO pen. He indicated today that he is reconsidering this bill.
Tell Governor Crist that we support a veto and expect him to stop this madness. Those of us who are registered Republicans must tell the Governor who we are. Tell him that this issue crosses all party lines. He needs to hear this.
There's still time to contact your representatives. Tell them to stop this train. HB 7189 is bad public policy and will cost billions to implement.
Keep focused. We owe it to our kids to make sure our representatives deliver on their paramount duty as stated in Article IX, Section 1 of the Florida Constitution, to adequately fund a uniform, safe, efficient and high-quality system of public education.
No distractions. No excuses.
Call your Representatives today. (Click here to find your Representatives and click here for an easy email list of ALL Representatives.) Tell them to vote no house bill 7189. Tell them we don't need another $2 Billion unfunded mandate.
Call (850-488-7146) and email Gov. Crist and tell him to keep his pen close and get ready to VETO.
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