There are so many issues that Charlie Crist has flip-flopped on, I can’t write about all of them. What this piece will focus on is his flip-flops on education, given the fact that education was a main focus of the National Action Network Forum held last Monday evening.
We all can agree that early, good education is what will lay the foundation for improving socio-economic status, keep our kids out of the school to prison pipeline, and help our kids to become globally competitive.
We need a Governor who will push to improve education in Florida, and make sure that resources are given to the schools that need them, so that ALL kids have an opportunity to succeed.
In an earlier article, I talked about Nan Rich, and what she wanted to do to improve education for kids in Florida. I also pointed out that Charlie Crist didn’t give concise answers as to what he would do, he simply played the President Obama card to get a few Amens and a couple of claps here and there.
Since Charlie Crist has decided not to run on his actual record, and rely simply on name recognition, smoke, and mirrors, I am going to share with you a report that was recently done by the Democratic Progressive Caucus of Florida. It is really interesting to actually see the records of the two candidates on education. I hope you take the time to click the link and read it. If Education is important to you, you will.
There is no better indicator of what a person will do, than what that person has done before.
Nan Rich has championed education her entire political career. Charlie Crist, not so much.
To actually see Crist’s record on education reminded me of Eminem’s song, Will The Real Slim Shady Please Stand Up.
We don’t know which Charlie Crist will show up, once he is in the Governor’s office. That is a very scary thought.
Here are a few excerpts from the report:
Budget cuts to education began with Governor Crist’s 2008-2009 budget:
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Florida Education Finance Program (FEFP) Funding – The K-12 FEFP is funded at a total of $18.4 billion. Although this is a reduction of 1.77 percent ($332.3 million) compared to last year, it represents a $423.7 million or 2.36 percent increase over Fiscal Year 2006-07
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Per Student Funding – Average per student funding is set at $6,997.37. This is a reduction of 1.84 percent ($130.85) compared to last year, but represents a $179.02 or 2.63 percent increase over Fiscal Year 2006-07
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Required Local Effort (RLE) – The RLE and Discretionary Local Effort (DLE) millage rates are reduced to maintain overall local funding at the current year’s level
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Class Size – To ensure compliance with the Constitutional Amendment approved by voters in 2002, the Legislature approved an additional $168.4 million for Class Size Reduction for 2008-09
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Teacher Performance Pay – The Merit Award Program (MAP) has been fully funded for eligible districts at $32.1 million to continue recognizing and rewarding outstanding teachers in Florida
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Excellent Teaching Program – Funds 10 percent salary bonuses for teachers who hold National Board of Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) certification
Charlie Crist, now known as Slim Shady, appears to say and do anything to get elected. After the Democratic Progressive Caucus of Florida contacted him about other issues, he immediately changed things on his website:
Special Research Note:
The DPCF requested additional information from Governor Crist’s campaign on his positions on pertinent education issues. We have not received a response.
Addendum:
Upon the completion of this report (Wednesday, June 25, 2014), a check of Governor Crist’s website showed the following policy proposal:
“As Governor, Charlie will fully restore Rick Scott’s cuts to education. Furthermore, he’ll incentivize private investment by expanding on the tax credit currently given to Florida corporations who donate to private schools by allowing businesses to receive tax incentives for investing in Florida’s public schools as well.”
Our interpretation is that Governor Crist still supports Corporate Tax Scholarships (vouchers for private schools), and would expand the program to give tax breaks to corporations for public schools.
As of Friday, June 27, 2014, the website reads differently:
“As Governor, Charlie will fully restore Rick Scott’s cuts to education. Furthermore, he’ll ensure that corporations receive the same tax incentives for investing in Florida’s public schools as they do for investing in private schools.”
(Source: Charlie Crist for Governor 2014 website)
I realize that Democrats in Florida want Rick Scott gone. I realize that the majority of Democrats in Florida want a primary debate.
I want the real Slim Shady to please stand up!
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Leslie Wimes
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