Psst! Want to talk about the Legislature? Live chat Tuesday, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.

I hope you'll join me from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday for the latest edition of our weekly live chat here on TroxBlog. I'll be live and more or less in person, taking comments and questions about current events in the Tampa Bay area and beyond. I figured a good Topic A would be the just-concluded session of the Florida Legislature, which debated everything from budget cuts to.... uh.... truck decorations.

To observe or take part in Tuesday's chat, come back to TroxBlog at or after noon and look for a new post with the headline, "The May 6 chat is OPEN." Click on the "comments" link of that announcement and you'll see a page with everything that's been said in the chat so far, and a space for you to jump in with your own question or comment.b

As always, if you can't be here live, feel free to "pre-file" a question or comment to THIS announcement by clicking the "Comments" link a few lines below. Also, remember you can always stop by TroxBlog afterward to read a transcript of what was said in the chat.

I hope to see you Tuesday!

Comments

[Don Mott]

This session was like most. They accomplished some good things but left some things hanging, pun intended. The many cuts affecting old folks, children and the education system are deplorable. Certainly so considering the fact that there were not enough votes to end any tax exemptions. There were not enough votes to close any tax loopholes. Any regulation of double dippers in the state pension plan was quickly set aside, I wonder why. Thank goodness there was some common sense regarding the CSX/commuter rail deal that would have cost us a fortune for little or no return. In retrospect I would say they did not earn their pay, but then again what is new.

[Larry]

Howard, I would agree that it was a pretty weak session, as usual. Do you feel that term limits figure into the picture of why the quality of leadership and legislation is so lacking in Tallahassee nowadays. I am in favor of term limits, but it seems that since their time "in the spotlight" is so limited, it encourages them to scramble things through without clearly understanding the consequences of their actions. And what about the Taxation Commission (or whatever it is called) that meets only once every twenty years? Why was their work so "nothing"? I mean Florida is screaming for tax reform. I don't get it.

[Reality]

I too believe in term limits. However, the “two-year” term is just not logical. From my perspective, all terms should be set at 4-years, and limited to 2-terms. If it is good enough for the President, it’s certainly good enough for every elected and/or appointed office in our government, including Judges but excluding Supremes.

And please don’t try to sell me the “Institutional knowledge” angle. Trust me on this; every elected official could leave office today, and tomorrow… our water will turn on, our toilets will flush, schools and roads will be open, law enforcement will come if you call, and your taxes WILL be due and collected. The difference; those who replace them… just might do all that more effectively, efficiently, and with renewed ethics, integrity, and a sense of honor and duty to those they serve.

Bottom line… as voters, we should expect only 2-months of OJT and functional service preparation. If one is not qualified and prepared to serve in a particular capacity, one should not be seeking that office… and WE should not elect them to it.

[Bruce]

Why is it that students enrolled at private schools or those that are home schooled are not subject to FCAT testing? With all the talk of accountability, shouldn't private schools be held to the same standards as public schools? It seems this is a real double standard; espcially when the idea of vouchers comes into play.

[Chuck]

Bruce,

Because they're PRIVATE. This will be written off as simplistic but private schools are successful in educating students for two main reasons:

1. They control the student body. Until you've been in a classroom you don't realize how great the standard deviation of "selected students" and "gen pop" really is. Being selective is the biggest possible advantage. Coincidentally, this is why schools like Palm Harbor University and St. Petersburg High are generally regarded as quality learning institutions and why schools like Gibbs and Dixie Hollins are generally regarded as cess pools.

2. Quality educators flock to situations that breed success. Again, private schools are "selective" when choosing staff. They may or may not pay a greater salary but they offer working conditions that, on average, are much greater than a public school situation.

When this type of situation is created, the FCAT is basically irrelevant. Why would they need a dumbed down state test to measure the level of understanding in what should be an above average group of students.

[Bill]

That’s really great, Chuck. When can we start excluding the jews, queers, and blacks from our system? I long for a world filled with only “select” rich white people.

Sorry, no need to respond. I just find you comment repugnant.

[Bruce]

In what "should be" an above average group... Maybe parents can just buy their way out by sending students to private schools. Or we can avoid testing by home schooling. Either way, we are putting an extra burden upon students and teachers in public schools that is not required by students that are in private schools or being home schooled.

[Chuck]

Bill,

What the hell are you talking about. I didn't say it was right, just that's the advantage private schools have. What world do you live in?

Some people.

[Chuck]

Bruce,

Just to clarify, a lot of home schooled students do take the FCAT.

[Howard Troxler]

Hey, Howard here, why don't you guys come over to the live chat? Go back to the main blog page, refresh it, and you'll see that I put up a new post at 11:30 opening the chat - use the comments link of that post.