Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschJanuary 16, 2018

Conservative group Americans for Prosperity-Florida released its priority list for the 2018 Legislative Session, giving favorable marks to legislation that would cut “corporate welfare” and regulations and voicing strong opposition to proposals that would add new regulations or incentives silos. “We believe that Florida lawmakers have an unprecedented opportunity to push through policy objectives that […]

Mitch PerryOctober 20, 2017

A debate on traditional public schools vs. charter schools took front and center Friday at the Tampa Tiger Bay Club. For 68 minutes, a group of education leaders of various backgrounds discussed the issue at the Ferguson Law Center. Speaking out most prominently for charters was Doug Tuthill, the president of Step Up For Students, the nonprofit group […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 28, 2017

A rainy Monday morning saw the often fractious Duval County School Board move forward in suing the state of Florida. At issue: HB 7069, the “Schools of Hope” bill, which would divert capital dollars to charter schools from local schools. Multiple urban districts — Broward, Miami-Dade, Orange, and Palm Beach — are already in the […]

A.G. GancarskiJuly 25, 2017

On Monday, State Rep. Jason Fischer proposed a state financial audit of the Duval County School Board on which he served until last year. Fischer’s take: the district is more concerned about potentially suing over the controversial “Schools of Hope” bill he advocated than it is with getting its “financial house in order,” after recent revelations of […]

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 […]

Tag: Schools of Hope

Americans for Prosperity-Florida releases priority list for 2018 Legislative Session

Tampa Tiger Bay Club debates charter schools

Duval Schools move toward litigation on ‘unconstitutional’ Schools of Hope bill

Duval School Board member welcomes state financial audit

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