Parents and teachers were in Tallahassee today to call for state surplus funds to be invested in Florida schools and to express their disapproval of how Rick Scott and his special interests are harming education.
“It’s time to put education policy back where it belongs: in the hands of teachers and parents, not with Scott’s corporate donors and Tea Party allies,” said Shari Gewanter, a kindergarten teacher from Leon County.
Residents are upset that the Governor’s donors were recently testifying in Tallahassee for more corporate tax cuts, while education is being ignored by Rick Scott and the Tallahassee establishment. A proposal Rick Scott has been touting to cut taxes for rent on commercial property, which by no coincidence is also backed by special interests that have donated over a million dollars to Scott’s re-election efforts, was on the table there.
Gewanter cited a Tampa Bay Times article noting the tax brings in $1.5 billion a year in revenue. That’s enough to pay the salaries of over 32,000 teachers. “This is about priorities. Are schools going to get the funding they need or are Rick Scott’s corporate donors going to get another tax cut?” Genwanter asked.
Gewanter also blasted Scott for reversing himself on Common Core Standards to appease the Tea Party. “Shame on Rick Scott for listening to the Tea Party while ignoring the real education experts: those who reside in the classrooms and schools throughout the state.”
