Parents, educators, and community leaders held a press conference and rally in West Palm Beach today to call on the Governor to invest any additional state revenue into public education instead of tax giveaways to corporate special interests.
On August 30th, the Governor announced his $500 million tax plan in front of an audience of right-wing conservatives and corporate donors. Floridians are eager to tell him to invest in our children’s education system instead of tax cuts for the wealthy and well-connected few.
“The Governor has a choice: stand with Floridians and support education or stand on the side of corporate special interests,” said former State Senator Dan Gelber, who was there to address the crowd.
In his first year in office, Rick Scott proposed massive corporate tax cuts paid for by slashing education funding. Then Scott cut education by $1.3 billion and continued his efforts to give big business tax breaks. However, news of the tax cut proposal and the failure of the Governor to attend his own education summit, leave little doubt where his priorities lie.
Retired educator Bernice “Bunny” Steinman of Boynton Beach reminded attendees that Governor Scott’s devastating cuts to the state’s school budget forced a number of school districts to eliminate art, music, library time, and after school programs. Many are still having a hard time recovering from the lost funding. “Our children deserve a well-rounded education and Rick Scott’s special-interest agenda continues to put that goal in great jeopardy,” said Steinman, who taught art classes for 32 years.
“This will be just another example of Gov. Scott serving the interests of his well-connected friends and wealthy donors at the expense of Florida’s families,” said Florida for All Chairman Carlos Odio. “There’s no question Floridians would choose their kid’s education over tax giveaways for Rick Scott’s friends.”
