Senate OKs ed overhaul proposal

Now it's up to the House. The Senate just voted 32-4, with Sens. Arthenia Joyner, Nan Rich, Charlie Justice and Stephen Oelrich opposed, for a proposed constitutional amendment that will ask voters to overhaul education governance in Florida.

The education commissioner would be elected, the governor and Cabinet would serve as the state Board of Education, community colleges would become the Florida College System offering 2- and 4-year degrees, and the Board of Governors would shrink.

More significantly, the BOG also would see its authority over state universities "revised...as prescribed by law." Translation: The Legislature would squelch once and for all the BOG's contention that the BOG has the power to set tuition. As lawmakers have since the BOG's 2002 creation, the Legislature would continue to set college tuition every year as part of its budget-making authority.

Comments

Too bad for the new commissioner, who is first rate. Can't be said for the chancellor and Chair Carolyn Roberts.
TK is the real force in the university system.

[Dwayne]

Look the Senate is flat out wrong in proposing this Amendment. The current Education Commissioner has an amazing background, and he could do wonders for the K-12 system. In addition, the Senate created this legislation so that the term limited Senate President could live off of public tax dollars. In addition, the current Board of Governors is fine as it is. The voters already created this body in 2002, and why in the heck should we vote on this legislation all over again?

I thought the Senate was supposed to let legislation cool-down and mature. After a cabinet overhaul, this is too much tinkering. I wonder where the Florida Student Association stands?

Funny how a Senate President with no college education thinks he knows more about higher education than the rest of us.

Florida Student Association????

Buuuuhaaaaahaaaa, my sides are splitting.

[jason honeycutt]

we just need to stop using state money to give poor people education...earn what you earn!

[Eric]

I disagree with electing the Education Commissioner. Many years ago voters changed this process. At one point we voted on Education Commissioner. It is too vital a position for a popularity contest to fill. I believe the last elected education commissioner was Charlie Christ and we see how poorly that turned out.

[Florida Grad Student]

Christ was never the Education Commissioner. He is risen and our Lord and Savior. Crist was the last Education Commissioner and did a great job just like he is currently doing as our Governor.

I certainly hope that Florida Grad Student is being a smart@ss. Because if you aren't, I'd love some of what you're smoking....

the Florida Students Association hasn't done anything this session..didnt they used to fight jeb on tuition?

The sneaky people (Bob Graham, et al) who put the last amendment together tried to snooker the voters. They didn't mention a thing about the BOG setting tuition. They know the "people" will never go for a group of educrats pass tuition to pad their own pockets. That's why Carolyn Roberts is squealing.

[Just trying to help my kids]

Help! I admit that I'm totally ignorant about this issue. On the one hand, we've got the Jeb supporters, who are always wrong about education and everything else. Then we've got the Rubio supporters who always say the opposite of the Bushies, but are equally selfish and untrustworthy. Could you Republicans please make up your minds on this, so I can vote the opposite, and know that I'm doing what's right for my kids? Thanks.