Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschSeptember 7, 2015

Amid the parades and barbecues, the meaning of Labor Day often gets lost on contemporary Americans, particularly in Florida, where unions scarcely carry political or cultural clout outside of Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties. But as we celebrate the holiday, let’s take a moment to honor those who persevered through dangerous working conditions and violent […]

Phil AmmannJuly 7, 2015

Florida’s teachers union expressed frustration with another legal loss in the attempt to overturn a 2011 law setting guidelines for teacher evaluations. In a prepared statement, Florida Education Association (FEA) President Andy Ford addressed Tuesday’s decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit in Atlanta. The court upheld the dismissal of a […]

Phil AmmannJune 19, 2015

Florida Education Association President Andy Ford hailed the newly passed $78.8 billion budget as a “step forward” in properly funding the state’s public education. But more work is needed, he cautioned. Florida lawmakers finished the overtime marathon session after 6 p.m. Passed unanimously by the Senate and by a 96-17 vote in the House, the […]

Phil AmmannMay 22, 2015

When Florida’s Legislative Session began in March, there were high expectations, especially for education and healthcare. But by session’s end, that optimism was long gone, says Florida Education Association President Andy Ford. Now that budget talks are set to resume, and lawmakers prepare for a June 1 Special Session, there’s still one last chance for […]

Ryan RayMarch 30, 2015

The Florida Association of School Administrators — a major plaintiff and arguably the least overtly political — has pulled out of a lawsuit challenging the legality of Florida’s corporate tax credit scholarship program. “Following a full review of priorities, the Board made the decision to focus resources on FASA’s main objective – to ensure that […]

James CallMarch 10, 2015

The House Education Committee spent about an hour Monday discussing and approving an overhaul of Florida’s testing-focused school accountability program. The measure was approved on a unanimous vote. Read a staff analysis here. Chairwoman Marlene O’Toole said this past week she wanted to get the measure to the floor as quickly as possible, and Monday […]

James CallFebruary 24, 2015

Five minutes with Andy Ford, where the FEA Chief suggests respect could go a long way to getting teachers and lawmakers on the same page: Q: The FEA has been challenging in court for at least the past 15 years education policy decisions made by the Legislature. What would a truce to the legal wrangling […]

Guest AuthorOctober 6, 2014

The Florida Education Association is highly litigious, politically active and flush with resources from membership dues and fees. It often gets its way, but not without collateral damage. In its fight with the Legislature for more school funding, the union is determined to destroy a privately funded scholarship program giving 68,000 of Florida’s poorest students the opportunity to […]

Julie DelegalOctober 17, 2013

This is part five of a six-part series presented in partnership with Folio Weekly. “The name is not open for discussion,” said Donna Mace, a Duval County fifth-grade teacher at Chimney Lakes Elementary, referring to the Badass Teachers Association. The 34-year veteran teacher is a founding member of the group, which uses social media to […]

Tag: Andy Ford
Image via AP.

Labor Day Weekend, brought to you by these Florida lobbyists and political organizations

Appeals court dismisses Florida teachers evaluation law challenge, union frustrated

FEA president praises budget as ‘step forward’ for public schools, says further work needed

Email insights: When budget money flows again, FEA will be first in line

Key plaintiff pulls out of charter schools lawsuit

House Education panel talks school accountability reform

Five minutes with Florida Education Association chief Andy Ford

William Patrick: Coalition forms to help protect scholarship program for poor

Julie Delegal: Florida and the Common Core: A Badass teacher speaks out