By Mike Cantone
Noting her long standing opposition to private school vouchers that move hundreds of millions of public dollars into private schools, Democratic candidate for governor Nan Rich today called on fellow legislators to oppose legislation further expanding Florida’s voucher program.
“My position on vouchers has always been crystal clear,” said former Senator Rich. “I opposed them when Republican Governor Jeb Bush introduced them. I opposed them when Republican Governor Charlie Crist expanded them. I oppose expanding them now.”
“Vouchers allow public money to go to private schools and that’s just not right – period.”
Legislative Republicans are advancing a new bill which significantly expands the scheme that lets corporations divert hundreds of millions of dollars of state tax revenue away from public schools. In addition to existing corporate tax credits, the new bill will allow sales tax dollars to be siphoned off for voucher programs, too.
Both of Rich’s opponents have supported expanding Florida’s voucher program. Governor Rick Scott is ready to sign a $120 million increase in vouchers now, and his predecessor, then-Republican Charlie Crist, signed a major expansion of the voucher program when he was governor.
“That’s simply bad public policy — it’s bad for public schools, bad for teachers, and bad for students,” Rich said. “Governor Scott said he is ready to sign the bill to expand the voucher program as soon as the bill gets to his desk. I wouldn’t. As governor, I would veto this bad legislation – without hesitation.”
