SB6 Punishment of Teachers Bill Passed in the Middle of the NIght

[idlewind]

Walton Democratic Executive Committee

TY I do not agree with them about much but I am with them in this case although probably for vastly different reasons.

[GoodWitch58]

I guess we could make everyone by an education "policy" rather they wanted to or not and get the type of response you are looking for.

huh?

[Bob]

I think some major changes are needed in our school systems.

The only issue I have with this is that teacher pay/employment is based on student performance on these tests.

And teachers complaining it is "unfair" because they can't control all of the other factors in student's lives really rubs me the wrong way. That is nothing new and you get the kids for a significant portion of their awake hours.

I do think teachers need more authority and disciplinary control in the schools and that we must make sure the kids are fed and have the necessary supplies, but beyond that, it's time for the teachers to stop whining and step up.

I know it's not an easy job, and this may not be the right solution, but when you aren't getting results, changes happen.

dude, rethink this post

[Bob]

Read what I wrote - I want to give teachers more disciplinary control over their classrooms and make sure every kid has the food and supplies to learn.

Those address most of the major complaints I hear from teachers - kids unable to focus, lack of proper materials, no discipline, and being undermined by parents.

Then it's time for the teachers to step up and hopefully see an increase in both their pay and their student's performance.

If teachers aren't responsible for their students' performance, who exactly is?

the student

[idlewind]

the student

Personal responsibility, what a concept.

[mdd88jd]

if I remember correctly Mark you are an attorney - do you have tenure with the State Bar. I am sure that we all need lawyers and doctors protected from unfair treatment by clients when they do not provide adequate expertise in representing them, or injure them.

Good Bill - Will improve the quality of education.

Good teachers have nothing to fear in this bill.

No, I do not have tenure. But, my livelihood is almost entirely dependent on me. And, I earn a lot more money that even the highest paid teacher in the system. For that much higher pay, I am willing to accept the risk of being "fired." But, should a teacher have that same risk, earning a much lower salary? And by risk, I mean subject to the uncertainties of her students, the political nature of her job (principals are subject to political pressure just like superintendents), and a lack of support by parents. And, can a teacher truly be academically free to teach the truth when the only contract she has is a one year contract? I really believe that this bill threatens academic freedom.

Again, I know that tenure sometimes protects a bad teacher. But, if a principal wants to get rid of tenured bad teacher they can, and that has happened in this system. Its hard to do and it should be hard to do. But, I believe that tenure more often protects good teachers from arbitrary firings that have nothing to do with teaching ability. And again, this bill puts teachers on a one year contract and only half of their performance review is based on test scores. Thus, a good teacher, with good test score performance could be fired for trumped up reasons.

Lastly, I want to know how we are going to be able to keep the current salary schedule for teachers and at the same time reduce our budget 5% (that is returned to the State for "peformance pay")? This bill does not provide any "extra" money for teacher salaries...

As always, enjoy your imput...

Mark.

[russrich]

Florida wasn't one of the states awarded a Race to the Top education grant for its school reform efforts from the Obama Administration. But the state continues to demonstrate why it deserved to be a recipient notwithstanding Republican Governor Charlie Crist, who can't seem to decide whether he stands with school children or the teachers unions.

As we neared deadline last night, Florida's House of Representative was poised to pass legislation that would abolish teacher tenure in public schools; require teachers to be evaluated based on the progress of students in their class; and reward the most effective teachers with better pay. Teachers in Florida receive a lifetime guarantee of employment after a mere three years of "satisfactory" evaluations. Last year, 99.7% of Florida teachers earned a satisfactory evaluation, including 100% of teachers in more than 50 of the state's 67 counties. Such reviews are meaningless.

When districts grant tenure without taking into account whether students are learning, ineffective instructors become impossible to fire. Under the proposed legislation, none of the 175,000 Florida teachers with tenure would lose it. But teachers hired after July 1, 2010 would join an annual contract system, and their evaluations would be based in part on the progress of their students.

On Monday, Governor Crist indicated he would sign the bill, which has already passed the state senate. By Thursday, however, he'd gone wobbly, citing teacher union concerns that pay-for-performance would disadvantage instructors who teach poor children and students with special needs.

But on the latest National Assessment of Educational Progress test, scores for Florida's fourth-grade students with disabilities jumped by nine points, compared to a one point drop in the national average. And low-income eighth-grade test scores rose by six points, versus a national increase of two points. The reality is that kids with learning disabilities or who come from underprivileged families are as capable of academic progress as other children. Their teachers should not escape accountability.

Mr. Crist is seeking a U.S. Senate seat in November and facing a tough challenge for the GOP nomination from conservative Marco Rubio. Conservatives have soured on the Governor for his embrace of the Obama Administration's spending agenda, among other things, and some have speculated that he will run as an independent to bypass the Republican primary. Mr. Crist insists he will run as a Republican. In any event, Floridians will have to decide whether they want a Senator who's tempted to side with the adults who run public schools instead of with the children who attend them.

On a personal note - note - not sure for it or against it, but I do know that these are Pres. Obama's rules & I think Florida is trying to play by them. The "Race to the Top" program awarded 600 BILLION to Tennessee. We (Florida) lost out b/c, in part, of merit pay.

No, I do not have tenure. But, my livelihood is almost entirely dependent on me. And, I earn a lot more money that even the highest paid teacher in the system. For that much higher pay, I am willing to accept the risk of being "fired." But, should a teacher have that same risk, earning a much lower salary? And by risk, I mean subject to the uncertainties of her students, the political nature of her job (principals are subject to political pressure just like superintendents), and a lack of support by parents. And, can a teacher truly be academically free to teach the truth when the only contract she has is a one year contract? I really believe that this bill threatens academic freedom.

Again, I know that tenure sometimes protects a bad teacher. But, if a principal wants to get rid of tenured bad teacher they can, and that has happened in this system. Its hard to do and it should be hard to do. But, I believe that tenure more often protects good teachers from arbitrary firings that have nothing to do with teaching ability. And again, this bill puts teachers on a one year contract and only half of their performance review is based on test scores. Thus, a good teacher, with good test score performance could be fired for trumped up reasons.

Lastly, I want to know how we are going to be able to keep the current salary schedule for teachers and at the same time reduce our budget 5% (that is returned to the State for "peformance pay")? This bill does not provide any "extra" money for teacher salaries...

As always, enjoy your imput...

Mark.

[Alicia Leonard]

Well, I don't have kids but I've never seen a box to check on my tax forms to opt out of paying for education. What's the difference? At least everyone can use healthcare.

Ditto. I have been paying taxes for schools I will never have children attend at the local level. Don't get a choice.

[Alicia Leonard]

the student

and their parents.

[momof2kids]

Miami-Dade schools open, but not all classes in session - Miami-Dade Breaking News - MiamiHerald.com

Is this what we are looking at happening here?

[30ashopper]

No, I do not have tenure. But, my livelihood is almost entirely dependent on me. And, I earn a lot more money that even the highest paid teacher in the system. For that much higher pay, I am willing to accept the risk of being "fired." But, should a teacher have that same risk, earning a much lower salary?

35K - 65K per year doesn't seem like a "low salary" to me.. 35K a year fresh out of college would have been nice when I graduated. I think the top end should be pushed up around 75K but generally I don't feel we underpay our teachers.

And by risk, I mean subject to the uncertainties of her students, the political nature of her job (principals are subject to political pressure just like superintendents), and a lack of support by parents.

Welcome to the real world! You just described my private sector job. I deal with office politics, underlings doing childish things, jerk bosses, new hires, etc.. I don't think teachers need to worry about getting fired if they are good at what they do. They have unions backing them up to boot.

And, can a teacher truly be academically free to teach the truth when the only contract she has is a one year contract? I really believe that this bill threatens academic freedom.

At the university level I understand the need for tenure, especially in areas of research. But grade school curriculum is carefully designed and regulated by parents, the school board, and state government. This bill actually strengthens that.

Again, I know that tenure sometimes protects a bad teacher.

IMHO, that's really pretty much all it does at the grade school level.

But, if a principal wants to get rid of tenured bad teacher they can, and that has happened in this system. Its hard to do and it should be hard to do. But, I believe that tenure more often protects good teachers from arbitrary firings that have nothing to do with teaching ability.

Where is this fear of good teachers getting fired coming from? Can you cite some examples? How often does it actually happen? What effect does it have on a teacher's career? IMO, teaching is a job, you have an employer, you do good work, you keep your job.

And again, this bill puts teachers on a one year contract and only half of their performance review is based on test scores. Thus, a good teacher, with good test score performance could be fired for trumped up reasons.

Not sure about this, according to this link -

The Details of Merit Pay for Teachers - Wakulla County news, information, politics, entertainment, schools and sports

The bill puts entry level teachers on 1 year contracts, and experienced teachers on four year contracts.

Lastly, I want to know how we are going to be able to keep the current salary schedule for teachers and at the same time reduce our budget 5% (that is returned to the State for "peformance pay")? This bill does not provide any "extra" money for teacher salaries...

I see this as an issue as well. Extra funding should be provided to make this work. We can easily handle that right here at the county level with a tax increase.

[Here4Good]

I might be able to get behind this if it held every single person in the management chain responsible; if, for example, a district did not meet their requirements, none of the school board members would be allowed to run for re-election, and the superintendent did not get a raise/bonus, and if a school didn't meet the standard none of the administrators at the school would get a raise/bonus.

By tying only teacher pay to achievement, you're just insuring that all of the management has a real whipping boy now.

It's insane - it's as though Walmart held only their department managers responsible for sales and product quality and not the store managers, buyers, the logistics people responsible for getting the merchandise to the store, the marketing people, the manufacturers or anyone else in the entire company.

[scooterbug44]

I would definitely support adding something like that - though why a principal, administrator, or school board member would be getting a raise/bonus when the school is failing is beyond me. (Though I know it happens - even when they are running for election soon.)

[GoodWitch58]

Frankly, I think a member of the school board, teachers, and parents of children in school have more credibility on how things work and what needs to be fixed, than someone who has no children in school and has no experience with the administration of a school system.

In fact, some of this "disconnect" in this bill may be due to this same lack in the halls of the Florida legislature...

[mdd88jd]

35K - 65K per year doesn't seem like a "low salary" to me.. 35K a year fresh out of college would have been nice when I graduated. I think the top end should be pushed up around 75K but generally I don't feel we underpay our teachers.



Welcome to the real world! You just described my private sector job. I deal with office politics, underlings doing childish things, jerk bosses, new hires, etc.. I don't think teachers need to worry about getting fired if they are good at what they do. They have unions backing them up to boot.



At the university level I understand the need for tenure, especially in areas of research. But grade school curriculum is carefully designed and regulated by parents, the school board, and state government. This bill actually strengthens that.



IMHO, that's really pretty much all it does at the grade school level.



Where is this fear of good teachers getting fired coming from? Can you cite some examples? How often does it actually happen? What effect does it have on a teacher's career? IMO, teaching is a job, you have an employer, you do good work, you keep your job.



Not sure about this, according to this link -

The Details of Merit Pay for Teachers - Wakulla County news, information, politics, entertainment, schools and sports

The bill puts entry level teachers on 1 year contracts, and experienced teachers on four year contracts.



I see this as an issue as well. Extra funding should be provided to make this work. We can easily handle that right here at the county level with a tax increase.

I appreciate your response. Obviously we do not agree, but, that's okay. I think the biggest difference between the private sector and teachers is that you want to protect good teachers from those politics as much as possible precisely because they are teachers with a profound impact on our children's future. You are right about elementary curriculum, but, I believe the extraneous factors, home life, mobility, attendence, things a teacher can't control is more at play in the elementary grades than later. Lastly, I can't cite specific examples of teachers with tenure being let go because of legal privacy reasons. It has happened since I have been on the board. It usually ends with the teacher leaving on her own accord, a resignation, before the firing, but both resignations and firings have happened.

The only avenue for a tax increase in Walton County is a property tax increase. I have assidiously tried to avoid that during the economic downturn, but, there is no way to keep salaries where they are, add the "bonuses" and not increase taxes, in my humble opinion.

I agree that the starting salary is not too bad, but, after a four year degree and 20 years experience, the salary barely climbs about $50,000.00. That's not so good.

My experience has been that a teacher with an advanced degree in her subject area is a better teacher. We should reward teachers who get those types of advanced degrees.

Lastly, I still don't know how you award or not award teachers who teac children with severe learning disabilities, emotional disabilities and from lower socio-economic backgrounds. And, what about the teacher who teaches five periods and three of those classes (say biology) improve and two do not (say in chemistry). Can you say she is not an effective teacher.

More reasons for my opposition.

M

[mdd88jd]

I appreciate your response. Obviously we do not agree, but, that's okay. I think the biggest difference between the private sector and teachers is that you want to protect good teachers from those politics as much as possible precisely because they are teachers with a profound impact on our children's future. You are right about elementary curriculum, but, I believe the extraneous factors, home life, mobility, attendence, things a teacher can't control is more at play in the elementary grades than later. Lastly, I can't cite specific examples of teachers with tenure being let go because of legal privacy reasons. It has happened since I have been on the board. It usually ends with the teacher leaving on her own accord, a resignation, before the firing, but both resignations and firings have happened.

The only avenue for a tax increase in Walton County is a property tax increase. I have assidiously tried to avoid that during the economic downturn, but, there is no way to keep salaries where they are, add the "bonuses" and not increase taxes, in my humble opinion.

I agree that the starting salary is not too bad, but, after a four year degree and 20 years experience, the salary barely climbs about $50,000.00. That's not so good.

My experience has been that a teacher with an advanced degree in her subject area is a better teacher. We should reward teachers who get those types of advanced degrees.

Lastly, I still don't know how you award or not award teachers who teac children with severe learning disabilities, emotional disabilities and from lower socio-economic backgrounds. And, what about the teacher who teaches five periods and three of those classes (say biology) improve and two do not (say in chemistry). Can you say she is not an effective teacher.

More reasons for my opposition.

M

Sorry, had one more thought. Yes, I can think of several good teachers who got fired, not for performance, but, because they were too political (spoke out at board meetings, etc.,) or out of favor with a particular administration. It happens less with teachers because of tenure, but, it happens pretty regularly with principals on one year contracts.

[30ashopper]

Sorry, had one more thought. Yes, I can think of several good teachers who got fired, not for performance, but, because they were too political (spoke out at board meetings, etc.,) or out of favor with a particular administration. It happens less with teachers because of tenure, but, it happens pretty regularly with principals on one year contracts.

I'm a good employee at my company but if I stood up in a board meeting and stated the CEO was an idiot or criticized his performance, I'd probably get fired too.

When you say "too political", what are you referring to? National politics, local politics, religion, or just telling the school board they're all idiots? It's hard for me to judge without some context.

[Interested Girl]

Please Call or E-Mail Governor Charlie Crist to Express Your Support for SB 6

The Foundation for Florida's Future has released a new television ad urging Governor Charlie Crist to sign SB 6. The bill requires higher salaries for great teachers who are tackling our toughest challenges – preparing students for success in the 21st century economy, closing the achievement gap and overcoming obstacles to ensure every student learns a year’s worth of knowledge in a year’s time.

Many people who are calling in support of SB 6 have reported that the phones at the Governor’s office are busy or the voice mailbox is full. If you can’t get through to the Governor’s office by phone, please email Governor Crist at Charlie.Crist@MyFlorida.com to share your support for SB 6.

Watch the ad at: YouTube - Afloridapromise's Channel

[Bob Wells]

Please Call or E-Mail Governor Charlie Crist to Express Your Support for SB 6

The Foundation for Florida's Future has released a new television ad urging Governor Charlie Crist to sign SB 6. The bill requires higher salaries for great teachers who are tackling our toughest challenges – preparing students for success in the 21st century economy, closing the achievement gap and overcoming obstacles to ensure every student learns a year’s worth of knowledge in a year’s time.

Many people who are calling in support of SB 6 have reported that the phones at the Governor’s office are busy or the voice mailbox is full. If you can’t get through to the Governor’s office by phone, please email Governor Crist at Charlie.Crist@MyFlorida.com to share your support for SB 6.

Watch the ad at: YouTube - Afloridapromise's Channel

NO

[Interested Girl]

NO

Your right to not support the Bill or to encourage the Governor to sign the legislation, but why scream ?

[idlewind]

Your right to not support the Bill or to encourage the Governor to sign the legislation, but why scream ?

Because this is a terrible idea. Why would anyone want Tallahassee to decide what is best for Walton County teachers and students is beyond me. That is what we have elected Mr. Davis and company to do. I trust a local democrat like him far more than I do the Republicans in Tally to address our issues. And I certainly want tax and spending policy set at the local level.

[Interested Girl]

Because this is a terrible idea. Why would anyone want Tallahassee to decide what is best for Walton County teachers and students is beyond me. That is what we have elected Mr. Davis and company to do. I trust a local democrat like him far more than I do the Republicans in Tally to address our issues. And I certainly want tax and spending policy set at the local level.

No it is a good idea (IMO) that you disagree with (IYO).

There is nothing in this bill that will harm good teachers.

As much as I respect Mr. Davis (but disagree with on this issue) he is only one vote of 5 and the others don't have any clue about the issue.

[idlewind]

No it is a good idea (IMO) that you disagree with (IYO).

There is nothing in this bill that will harm good teachers.

As much as I respect Mr. Davis (but disagree with on this issue) he is only one vote of 5 and the others don't have any clue about the issue.

This is about local control verus state control. While I disagree about the provisions harming good teachers, the big picture question is who will control education. I vote the local school board.

[SWGB]

I guess we could make everyone by an education "policy" rather they wanted to or not and get the type of response you are looking for.

I think this statement is a pretty good example of why Republicans shouldn't be involved in education.

[Bob Wells]

Your right to not support the Bill or to encourage the Governor to sign the legislation, but why scream ?

Making an emphatic statement of my opposition.

[Busta Hustle]

I might be able to get behind this if it held every single person in the management chain responsible; if, for example, a district did not meet their requirements, none of the school board members would be allowed to run for re-election, and the superintendent did not get a raise/bonus, and if a school didn't meet the standard none of the administrators at the school would get a raise/bonus.

By tying only teacher pay to achievement, you're just insuring that all of the management has a real whipping boy now.

It's insane - it's as though Walmart held only their department managers responsible for sales and product quality and not the store managers, buyers, the logistics people responsible for getting the merchandise to the store, the marketing people, the manufacturers or anyone else in the entire company.

Florida Public School Taxes levied more than doubled in the eight year period from 2000 to 2007, from roughly $6.5 billion to $13.2 billion. Compare the student achievement to that and most people would suggest everyone on every level would be fired if held accountable.

[GoodWitch58]

Florida Public School Taxes levied more than doubled in the eight year period from 2000 to 2007, from roughly $6.5 billion to $13.2 billion. Compare the student achievement to that and most people would suggest everyone on every level would be fired if held accountable.

Perhaps--if those were the only two variables to consider--but, there are many more.

[Busta Hustle]

Perhaps--if those were the only two variables to consider--but, there are many more.

You are so correct. May we agree that we we could reduce spending on education by half or $6.5 billion and still have same student achievement results? We did that in 2000.

[scooterbug44]

I think education is very important - so while I know schools are expensive and obviously think that some changes need to be made, I don't think this can be reduced to being just about $$.

Funding cuts are certainly not the way to go IMO, especially since one of the major complaints I hear from teachers is lack of teaching materials and supplies and infrastructure issues.

I've got a long list of ways to save money, but taking it away from schools is certainly NOT on there. And if more money will improve our schools, our school food, and our education system I am willing to pony up.

[wrobert]

I think this statement is a pretty good example of why Republicans shouldn't be involved in education.

My thoughts or poor spelling?

[wrobert]

I think education is very important - so while I know schools are expensive and obviously think that some changes need to be made, I don't think this can be reduced to being just about $$.

Funding cuts are certainly not the way to go IMO, especially since one of the major complaints I hear from teachers is lack of teaching materials and supplies and infrastructure issues.

I've got a long list of ways to save money, but taking it away from schools is certainly NOT on there. And if more money will improve our schools, our school food, and our education system I am willing to pony up.

Personally, Walton County ought to just opt out of this thing, double the millage rate, run the schools the way they want and let us see how scores do in five or so years.

[SWGB]

My thoughts or poor spelling?

Your poor spelling, lead by example.

[30ashopper]

This is about local control verus state control. While I disagree about the provisions harming good teachers, the big picture question is who will control education. I vote the local school board.

It's looking increasingly likely Crist will veto the bill.

What prevents Walton County from implementing it's own version of merit pay? I'm not familiar with how such a system would come about locally. Can the school board implement it? Would they, or is the board controlled by the unions?

[Busta Hustle]

Personally, Walton County ought to just opt out of this thing, double the millage rate, run the schools the way they want and let us see how scores do in five or so years.

Or better yet just go back and check since 2000 the increase in $$$ spent vs the increase in achievement.

[GoodWitch58]

I think this speaks for itself:


Jeb Bush leads move to marginalize teachers union

[beachmouse]

Gov. Crist vetoes teacher tenure bill - St. Petersburg Times

Glad to see it. From what I've read, the bill was poorly written and bad policy. I feel like we should have high standards for K-12 education, but this wasn't the way to do it.

[Bob Wells]

Just got back from Tallahassee, and I was not suprised SB 6 was passed. There was a lot of arm twisting to get that bill passed. I suspect there will be a lot of turn over in both the House and Senate because of it. What was suprising was that I was told this was a good Bill and some were even angry because they were questioned about it. It was disappointing that quite a few of them were from our area and have teachers in or are teachers. When I brought up Mark Davis and his comments with regards to the Bill, I got the extreme impression that it did not make any difference. To Representative Marti Coley's credit, she understood my concerns and was at least honest when she told me she was going to vote for the Bill, but even she had concerns. There were others who told me flat out they would not vote for the Bill and then did.

[30ashopper]

Gov. Crist vetoes teacher tenure bill - St. Petersburg Times

Glad to see it. From what I've read, the bill was poorly written and bad policy. I feel like we should have high standards for K-12 education, but this wasn't the way to do it.

and with it, the political career of Charlie Crist comes to an end.

[Bob Wells]

and with it, the political career of Charlie Crist comes to an end.

A Quinipac poll I was made aware of before leaving Tallahassee does not agree, or so I was told. It narrows the margin of Rubio over Crist to single digits with Crist as a third party candidate. It also, as I was informed, shows Meek doing well (gaining) against Rubio. Now I have not seen the poll, but I tend to believe the source. So although Crist said he would not run as an Independent, he may still decide to run as an NPA, although most say he won't. We'll have to wait and see. After finding the Poll I was wrong, Meek looked better and Crist still looked bad against Rubio. Sorry for my misunderstanding of what I was told.

[Miss Critter]

and with it, the political career of Charlie Crist comes to an end.

If that's true, we should have more politicians willing to sacrifice their political careers to do the right thing.

[scooterbug44]

The article I read said that Crist vetoed it after receiving over 100,000 messages from constituents overwhelmingly against the bill, so I don't think it is exactly a career ender.

[GoodWitch58]

A Quinipac poll I was made aware of before leaving Tallahassee does not agree, or so I was told. It narrows the margin of Rubio over Crist to single digits with Crist as a third party candidate. It also, as I was informed, shows Meek doing well (gaining) against Rubio. Now I have not seen the poll, but I tend to believe the source. So although Crist said he would not run as an Independent, he may still decide to run as an NPA, although most say he won't. We'll have to wait and see. After finding the Poll I was wrong, Meek looked better and Crist still looked bad against Rubio. Sorry for my misunderstanding of what I was told.

it's a little bit more nuanced:

Poll: Crist leads 3-way contest if race held now

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Gov. Charlie Crist has fallen far behind in Florida's Republican primary contest for the U.S. Senate, but he could capture a three-way race in November, a poll released Thursday suggests.

Crist must decide by April 30 whether to remain in the GOP primary where former state House Speaker Marco Rubio is favored or pursue an independent bid. He has refused to shut the door on speculation he might bolt the party that helped him win races as Florida's attorney general and education commissioner before he became governor in 2006.

If the general election were held now, 32 percent of voters would favor Crist, compared with 30 percent for Rubio and 24 percent for the Democratic hopeful, U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek, according to a survey of 1,250 registered voters taken April 8-13 by Quinnipiac University in Connecticut.

"The biggest threat to Crist's political career is the Republican primary," said Peter Brown, Quinnipiac's assistant polling director. "People overall think he is doing a good job as governor, but that doesn't mean Republicans think that he should be their U.S. senator

Governor Crist, knew this was bad for Florida's education system--fortunately, he also had the courage to do the right thing. Here is the Veto Letter if anyone is interested.
http://www.tampabay.com/specials/2010/PDFs/sb6.pdf

[rapunzel]

Just got back from Tallahassee, and I was not suprised SB 6 was passed. There was a lot of arm twisting to get that bill passed. I suspect there will be a lot of turn over in both the House and Senate because of it. What was suprising was that I was told this was a good Bill and some were even angry because they were questioned about it. It was disappointing that quite a few of them were from our area and have teachers in or are teachers. When I brought up Mark Davis and his comments with regards to the Bill, I got the extreme impression that it did not make any difference. To Representative Marti Coley's credit, she understood my concerns and was at least honest when she told me she was going to vote for the Bill, but even she had concerns. There were others who told me flat out they would not vote for the Bill and then did.

Let me guess...did Marti Coley give you the old "I don't like this bill but I will vote for it so that I don't lose my seat at the table" excuse? I swear, it seems like Dean Cannon and the House leadership must shove bamboo under the nails of anyone who tries to speak up for their constituents. It makes you wonder why Marti Coley supports Dean for Speaker.

I refuse to accept this excuse. She is an elected representative, and she should demand a voice and a seat at the table, or she should go home. Being a woman is not an excuse to be ineffective.

[Bob Wells]

Let me guess...did Marti Coley give you the old "I don't like this bill but I will vote for it so that I don't lose my seat at the table" excuse? I swear, it seems like Dean Cannon and the House leadership must shove bamboo under the nails of anyone who tries to speak up for their constituents. It makes you wonder why Marti Coley supports Dean for Speaker.

I refuse to accept this excuse. She is an elected representative, and she should demand a voice and a seat at the table, or she should go home. Being a woman is not an excuse to be ineffective.

No, according to her, she liked a lot of it, but did have issues with some of it. She voted for it without the changes though. As for other issues we discussed, she was under a lot of pressure to vote for it and she stood her ground.
Representative Drake on the other hand voted for SB 6 without reservation and appeared highly agitated when asked about it. He believes that the Unions put out so much bad info on this Bill, which there was some errors in the info, but in spite of that info it was still a bad Bill. Although I'm not a Crist supporter he did the right thing in this case, no matter the reason. I will be curious to see if those who voted yes on this issue will have their feet held to the fire in the next election.