Democrats opening up to vouchers

In the past few years, a slow trickle of black Democrats have embraced tax-credit vouchers, which are funded by corporations in exchange for tax credits. But this year a steady stream of Democrats, including a handful of white Democrats like state Rep. Bill Heller, D-St. Petersburg, crossed over, moving toward a program championed by former Gov. Jeb Bush, even as Republicans were backing away from Bush's hard-core emphasis on the FCAT.

More here.

Comments

[Omega83]

I'm surprised it took this long.

Vouchers = welfare, and what Democrat doesn't enjoy a good government subsidy?

The reason is simple. The average household income on the tax creditprogram is $24,000 and 70% are minorities. These are Democrat voters. They are talking to their legislators. Some of these Senators have over 2,000 kids on the program. The legisaltors have to listen or pay a political price.

Good story!

I bet everyone is for better public schools.

If Joe Bob's Private School is going to accept public funds, Joe Bob must be assessed by public standards.

you mean those public standards set by some idiot bureaucrat in Tallahassee?

These are republicans who have "shilled" for the dems, to get this unconstitutional voucher mess passed. Look, our leaders are not upholding our constistution. Will they omit religious schools?

The dems have NOT softened. These are really republicans put in place to get this done. Black legislatures will do anything for their people, even if it means ignoring the constitution. Rouson, welcome to the dem party, now go vote for the vouchers. Janet Long? You are a nut in person! A real psycho nut!

Hey 12:11

A majority of the Legislative Black Caucus voted for the bill--(13 of 25). Not just Rouson. About a third of all Democrats did so. So much for your theory.

[sean davis]

I'm with Betty Reed, this isn't a voucher. There is no public money, but private donations. These are truly scholarships.

As was also mentioned, if we are truly concerned about students and this benefits students what's the problem? Public school or private school, who cares who delivers the service as long as my kid gets a good education. I'm all for these scholarships!

This really isn't about Democrats or Republicans, this is about kids!

[terminator]

Sean:
put down the crack pipe and join reality.

this is money destined for the state tax treasury which never got there since corporations who "volunteer" for the program save themselves a whopping 50% tax rebate.

Although I'm not a head honcho at FEA, I would look for the statewide union to file suit against this.

how do we justify cutting public school budgets by $332 million and turn around and give more money to unregulated/uncertified voucher schools who don't test FCAT, don't have to meet state law and don't have to have accountability.

Many of the incumbents will be brought back into reality after the Novemeber elections when they don't come back to Tallahassee!

Dear sean,

There is no program without the law. There aren't any funds without the tax credits. This is a voucher program. Voucher. voucher. voucher. voucher.

If I accidently agree with terminator again, I might have to hurt myself.

Vouchers = treason!

11:20

unless Joe Bob can demonstrate his standards are BETTER than the Tallahassee bureaucrats, then YES!

Vouchers = treason!

[Sam]

Can businesses CHOOSE to donate to public schools and receive the same tax credit?

The damn holding back vouchers is about to break regardless of how many fingers terminator sticks in the holes springing leaks.

A wonderful future for education is before us as the downfall of the teachers unions will now begin to unfold!!!

[terminator]

8:47
I'm sure Ron Meyer has been doing some research as of late.
Charlie and Pruitt pulled the old double cross with the "hold harmless" pledge during the A1 campaign.
McKay will stay safe but this suckers got a big *ss bullseye on it.
I've also advocated the statewide AFL-CIO and FEA initiate a boycott against any participating Florida companies.
Coming to a Lowe's near you....picketing public school teachers as you enter the store! That should give you a warm fuzzy feeling as you shop for round up and mulch.

I think you would be surprised about how much picketing teachers would tick average folks off. We are sick of hearing about how they don't get all they want. We don't get raises or lose jobs and they complain about not getting as much of a raise as they would like. We don't get to take a vacation because we cannot afford to be away from work for fear of losing the job while teachers get 2 1/2 months off. We have our benefits cut or eliminated and teachers complain about having to pay more toward their benefits. Oh and teachers get nice taxpayer funded pensions while the rest of us have to save some or work until the bitter end. Every chance someone representing teachers has a chance they bring up teachers having a hard time affording property while the rest of us wonder how it is property became so cheap for us or teachers became so damn entitled. If you just think about it teachers would really rub folks the wrong way whining about anything for a while.

We need vouchers, we need competition, we need to downsize the teachers union and most of all we need teachers to demonstrate some appreciation for the well compenstated positions they enjoy as the result of us paying them more than most all of us earn ourselves.

I am sick of the holier than thou routine they have become so comfortable with.

[Michael C Donohue]

Let teachers boycott! At least I'll know where I WANT TO SHOP!!!

[GW]

True Story...3rd Grade teacher has an attitude with a nephew, does everything in her power to hold him back and he aces the FCAT. He's one of the smartest in his 4th Grade this year. Bad teacher or bad test, you decide.