Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Scott PowersJune 21, 2017

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Interparty, cross-house fighting over the controversial education omnibus bill House Bill 7069 is not yet over, nor are efforts to stop provisions that could spell death sentences to underperforming public schools, Republican state Sen. Dave Simmons vowed Wednesday. And the bill might face a legal challenge led by state Sen. Gary Farmer, a Parkland Republican […]

Peter SchorschJune 15, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott will sign a contentious education policy bill that critics fear will hurt traditional public schools in favor of privately-managed charter schools. The Governor’s Office on Thursday morning announced he will approve “a major education bill” at Morning Star Catholic School in Orlando, “which serves many children who receive the Gardiner Scholarship,” one of the […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMay 30, 2017

The First Amendment Foundation is weighing in on a wide-sweeping education bill, asking Gov. Rick Scott to veto the measure when it gets to his desk. In a letter to Scott on Tuesday, Barbara Petersen, the president of the First Amendment Foundation, said the organization’s concerns “relate only to the lack of transparency in the […]

Guest AuthorMay 17, 2017

Over the past few days, many district superintendents and other defenders of the struggling status quo have attacked HB 7069, a bill focused on reforming and improving K-12 education. As a former Duval County School Board member, I am proud to have voted for this bill and urge Gov. Rick Scott to sign it into […]

Michael MolineMay 8, 2017

Only one of the budget conforming bills debated in the Senate Monday drew a point of order — SB 7069, to implement the House’s ideas about charter schools and teacher bonuses. It didn’t stop the bill from passing, on a vote of 20-18. House and Senate negotiators have paired the bill with separate legislation carrying […]

Associated PressApril 30, 2017

Florida’s public schools will get only a small increase in money for day-to-day operations under an agreement worked out by state legislators. House and Senate budget negotiators on Friday agreed to increase regular public school spending by $241 million. That amounts to about a 1.2 percent increase in money for each student. Republicans have defended […]

Peter SchorschApril 25, 2017

Updated 2:45 p.m. — The House has sent over an offer and the Senate is reviewing, according to staffers in both chambers. — After teetering toward a late-session meltdown, the bones of a roughly $83 billion 2017-18 state budget are in place, according to three sources close to Gov. Rick Scott‘s office and several lobbyists familiar with […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 17, 2017

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Duval County School Superintendent Nikolai Vitti may be taking his talents to the Motor City in a matter of weeks — but that’s not stopping him from issuing advice to the Florida Senate before he goes. Vitti’s specific recommendation: to reject during budget conference negotiations the “Schools of Hope” charter school measure embodied in HB 5103, which cleared […]

Staff ReportsApril 13, 2017

The LIBRE Initiative, a project of Americans for Prosperity focused on the Hispanic community, issued a statement Thursday in support of the House’s “Schools of Hope” bill. The measure (HB 5105), which passed the House and heads to the Senate, sets aside $200 million in financial help for nonprofit companies to open charter schools in […]

Jim RosicaApril 13, 2017

Despite bitter opposition from Democrats, the Republican-controlled House Thursday passed its proposal to create privately-run “Schools of Hope” to combat failing public schools in the state. The measure (HB 5105) was approved by a vote of 77-40 after more than three hours of debate. It now heads to the Senate, where leaders have said they’re open to […]

Tag: Schools of Hope
A nice warm evening in Tallahassee on a very busy street while taking this shot.

David Simmons: We’re not done yet with HB 7069

Rick Scott to sign controversial education policy bill

First Amendment Foundation calls on Rick Scott to veto education bill

Jason Fischer: Our kids deserve hope

Education bill, key to budget deal, clears the Senate by two votes

Florida legislators agree to small boost for schools

State budget deal struck? Jack Latvala says, ‘no,’ but…

Nikolai Vitti to Senators: Reject ‘Schools of Hope’

LIBRE Initiative says it supports “Schools of Hope”

House passes ‘Schools of Hope’ charter school plan