James Call
Former Gov. Jeb Bush’s exploration for a presidential run includes a Tallahassee stop next month. His Foundation for Florida’s Future will host a conference focused on policies Bush promoted as governor. Gov. Rick Scott, Senate President Andy Gardiner and House Speaker Steve Crisafulli will also attend the half-day event at the Florida State University Alumni Center.
Bush created the Foundation for Florida’s Future in 1995 as a think tank and advocate for conservative ideas. Many of the policies Bush implemented as governor originated with the foundation. Education was the centerpiece of his administration; Bush pushed through the Legislature an accountability system for public schools and supported parental school choice with a commitment to charter schools and vouchers for private schools.
“Florida’s impressive gains in student achievement began 15 years ago with the A+plan for Education,” said Patricia Levesque, the Foundation’s executive director. “We’re thankful to be joining with partners to bring stakeholders together for an informative, honest discussion on how to keep the promise we make to students.”
Cohosts for Keeping the Promise, a Florida Education Summit include Associated Industries of Florida, the Florida Chamber of Commerce, Florida Council of 100, Hispanic CREO, the James Institute, the Multicultural Education Alliance and the Urban League of Greater Miami. The event is scheduled for Feb. 10.
Last month, Senate President Andy Gardiner credited Bush’s fondness for big hairy audacious goals with inspiring him to run for office in 2000. He thought it was an exciting time to be in Tallahassee and wanted to be a part of it. Now, given voter frustration with congressional gridlock, Gardiner thinks Bush would be a strong presidential candidate.
“I think that is what going to be intriguing about Governor Bush; he has a record that he can stand on. A record he should be very proud of,” said Gardiner. “People will get involved in, well he supports this issue or that issue, but I’m going to be looking at executive branch leadership and people who have a record. And certainly Governor Bush has a great record to run on.”
After leaving the Governor’s Mansion, Bush created the Foundation for Excellence in Education as a vehicle to continue his advocacy for school reform. He recently resigned as its chairman and named former secretary of state Condoleezza Rice as chair while Bush explores his options for 2016.
