Category Florida Legislature
Zest of the Day: Kelli Stargel’s Fake List of Parent Trigger Supporters Provided by Michelle Rhee
You cannot make this stuff up. The willingness of the school “choice” and “parent trigger” supporters to stoop to any level to imply real grassroots support for what is a corporate driven effort to experiment with school children knows no bounds.
Shady groups behind school “choice” and “parent trigger”
The school “choice” movement continues to operate in secrecy and with a certain degree of shadiness. The Miami Herald reported late last night that the group “Sunshine Parents” that has been attributed for producing propaganda materials supporting the Parent “Trigger” legislation has in fact not produced anything of the sort. These materials have in reality […]
Report: Florida Employers Face Penalty if State Rejects Medicaid Funds
As the House and Speaker Weatherford continue to politicize the Medicaid issue, this report was released today by WUSF indicating the high cost a failure to take federal funds will have to Florida’s business. Once again the rhetoric of House Republicans about expanding opportunities for employers and the climate for business seems contrary to reality.
Legislative Power Grab “Wage Theft” Vote Indicates the Strength of House Democratic Unity and Majority Party Arrogance
Yesterday’s legislative “wage theft” vote (HB1125) which is essentially another power grab by a “small government” “conservative” House showed the power of unity that the Democratic caucus has created over the past two months. Earlier this week I speculated about the cohesion of the caucus on the upcoming session defining votes. The Democratic caucus remained […]
Tracking Legislation Not Easy for Average Citizens
It’s no wonder people are disinterested in politics and our population is overrun with so-called “low information voters”. In Florida, at least, it’s damn near impossible for your average citizen to know what’s going on in the state legislature from day to day. I’m an advocate for veterans’ issues, so it’s no surprise that I […]
Will President Don Gaetz Do the Bidding of the Home Rule Hypocrites and Block Local Control?
Earlier this session Senate President Don Gaetz committed that bills would not be brought to the floor if they hadn’t been heard in committees (see video below courtesy of Amy Ritter and Florida Watch Action). At the same time Sen. David Simmons committed not to allow House Majority Leader Steve Precourt’s HB 655 to be […]
(Video) Fresen Pushes Parent-Trigger and Charter Schools Despite Documented Conflicts of Interest
The conflicts of interest involving Rep. Erik Fresen and charter schools have been well documented. For context here is a Miami Herald article from December 2011. I have previously editorialized extensively about Fresen and his conflicts of interest. Rep. Fresen was barely reelected this past November, defeating excellent Democratic challenger Ross Hancock who was unfortunately […]
Parent Trigger: A Grassroots Movement?
In our recent three part series on school “choice” legislation we dissected the funding mechanisms for the campaign to push school vouchers in Florida, particularly John Kirtley’s “All Children Matter.” I regret that we did not list those bankroll nor discuss “Parent Revolution” a California based group that implies it is a grassroots oriented movement […]
Manufacturing Tax Credits: Why would they work now?
In the home stretch of the 2013 Session, Governor Scott has decided to make $115 million in manufacturing tax breaks one of his biggest legislative priorities. But for years Republican legislators have nave promised tax breaks for industry and manufacturing and have produced very in little return for the state. Florida ranks 43rd in manufacturing nationally […]
Will House Democrats Stick Together In Final Weeks of Session?
As we enter the home stretch of the legislative session concerns are abound about the cohesion and discipline of the House Democratic Caucus. Cracks began appearing in February when a contentious leadership race ended with Rep. Daryl Rouson defeating Rep. Mia Jones by a single vote for Minority Leader Designee. Then in the early weeks […]
The Florida Squeeze 