Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryFebruary 5, 2018

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The state’s largest teachers union is airing a digital ad opposing a major education bill in the Florida House. The Florida Education Association’s anger is linked to HB 7055, a “conforming” measure sponsored by Miami Republican Michael Bileca and backed by House Speaker Richard Corcoran. The bill includes a number of provisions that FEA opposes, including a voucher program […]

Staff ReportsApril 17, 2017

The Florida Education Association is taking to the airwaves to call on lawmakers to better fund public schools. The statewide education association released two advertisements Thursday in response to several measures being advanced by the Legislature. The proposals, education officials said, would underfund public schools and harm public school students. “Students are at the center […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 13, 2017

In a recent POLITICO article, Florida Teachers’ Union President Joanne McCall said the following: “We believe that those closest to the students should be making the decisions about what is best for the students they serve.” At issue was the controversy surrounding the state Board of Education’s efforts to turn around Florida’s worst performing public […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterSeptember 5, 2016

The final days of summer are here. Labor Day weekend marks the unofficial end of summer, the last hurrah before the fall. It’s a time for barbecues and beers, to spend a few days floating in the pool or relaxing on the deck. But it’s also meant to be a chance to celebrate the American […]

Staff ReportsAugust 19, 2016

There are just a few weeks until the election, and organizations across the state are rolling out endorsements for state and federal candidates. Several organizations — National Right to Life, the Florida Medical Association, and the Florida Retail Federation — issued endorsements. — Local law enforcement officials have thrown their support behind Neal Dunn in […]

Gary FineoutAugust 16, 2016

A Florida appeals court rejected a bid to end the state’s largest private school voucher program on Tuesday, but it’s unclear if the ruling will end the two-year-old battle. The 1st District Court of Appeal sided with a lower court’s decision to throw out the lawsuit filed by the Florida Education Association and others, who […]

guestMay 10, 2016

By all accounts, the Jericho School, a private facility opened 21 years ago in Jacksonville, does a wonderful job helping students with autism and other special needs succeed academically. That nearly all of its students are enrolled through two state voucher programs also reflects the fertile nature of Florida’s expanding educational choice landscape. In a […]

Peter SchorschApril 19, 2016

Kudos to Florida Supreme Court Justice Fred Lewis. As detailed in an article in the Ocala Star-Banner, Lewis took the time to speak to students at Ocala’s Trinity Catholic High School. He did so as part of the court’s Justice Teaching Initiative, which he founded in 2006 to help Florida’s K-12 students understand the state’s laws and justice system. It’s a free program […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorMarch 11, 2016

As the Florida Legislature wrapped up its 2016 session Friday by passing the 2016-17 budget, some education officials are feeling left out. In an email, Florida Education Association President Joanne McCall lamented that the budget fails to adequately fund education and ignores increasing resistance toward what many see is chronic over-testing in schools. “Legislators may […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 16, 2016

The Florida Chamber of Commerce Foundation had a story to tell last week about education improvement. Like politicians, they don’t let facts get in the way when making their case. In its new “From Excuses to Excellence” report, the Chamber urges businesses to stick with education reforms that it says have led to “extraordinary accomplishments” […]

Tag: Joanne McCall

Teachers’ union joins swamp-draining chorus with new ad targeting Richard Corcoran

In new ads, teachers union calls for proper funding for public schools

Who knows best, parents or teachers’ union?

Labor Day is brought to you by these Florida lobbyists and political associations

Endorsement Watch: National Right to Life, the Florida Medical Association, the Florida Retail Federation and others issue endorsements

Florida court backs state’s largest school voucher program

Jon East: Tax-credit scholarships benefit 78,000 of Florida’s poorest schoolchildren

Justice Fred Lewis addresses Catholic high school students

Email insights: Florida Education Association calls on Rick Scott to veto budget

Joanne McCall: Chamber’s report ignores the grim facts about Florida public education