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Permalink Reply by BillE on April 15, 2010 at 2:50pm

As you probably know by now, Crist has vetoed the bill.

While I am an independent voter and dedicated patriot supporting the ideals of the Tea Party movement, I was opposed to this bill simply because it appeared to me that it was being shoved through much like the national health care bill. It was sure to have significant 'unintended' consequences. I am not opposed to changes in this area of education but they should be formulated on an open, inclusive basis.

Whether we like it or not, sounds like the governor got an earful from the opposition to this bill. Those who supported it should have spoken louder, I guess.

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Permalink Reply by Patricia M. McBride on April 15, 2010 at 8:36pm

Billie,
He vetoed it and not just the veto..........he sold the children of our state down the river for a payoff from the unions from the looks of things (when there is smoke, there is generally fire). This is from the SharkTank:

Charlie’s Quid Pro Quo – More than Meets the Eye?
Posted April 15th, 2010 by Javier Manjarres 10 Comments »


The political theater surrounding Senate Bill 6 was brought to a conclusion this morning as Governor Charlie Crist vetoed the bill, ending the effort by state Republicans to ostensibly reform our state education system. Opponents of the bill are primarily teachers’ unions who adamantly oppose tethering student performance to teacher pay raises. In an effort to get Crist to oppose the bill, teachers from Hillsborough County canvassed their county urging residents to support Governor’s Senate campaign provided that he veto the legislative intiative.

In our view, while the motives of this bill are good ones- the need for greater teacher accountability is essential and non-negotiable. However, it appears that the means by which teacher accountability is determined- tethering teacher pay raises to student outcomes- is highly questionable. We think this bill in its present form should be reconsidered and revised before it is ultimately adopted into law. But the merits of the bill aside, there are looming questions as to the surrounding politics of this whole drama.

There are rumors of a deal in place between the Florida Education Association (FEA) and Charlie Crist for the union to run one million dollars of attack ads against Marco Rubio, Crist’s opponent in the U.S. Senate primary. This would be in violation of FEC laws, as campaigns cannot coordinate with 501c non-profit organizations. Call us cynical, but we must inquire- was this whole legislative spectacle orchestrated from the get-go by the Governor and other interested parties to allow Crist to play the role of the hero by intervening at the height of this drama and veto this largely unpopular measure- thus winning him the support of the teacher’s union (at least temporarily), and enabling him to be viewed as an independent maverick who bucks his own party, making himself more appealing to centrists and Democrats? Inquiring minds want to know.

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Permalink Reply by Patriot One on April 16, 2010 at 8:06am

Based on the number of phone calls and emails he recieved Christ is representing the less then 1% of Floridians with his veto.. I call that representing special interest (NEA and Teachers). No one has said how much these bad teachers are currently costing the citizens of Florida. I think if we look at the economic and social impact of bad teachers we would find that they cost Floridians far more then merit pay would ever cost. I'm not against teachers, I'm against keeping bad teachers in the system.

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Permalink Reply by Patricia M. McBride on April 16, 2010 at 8:18am

Patriot,
I think this will get reworked, which may be a good thing, and voted on again and Mr. Crist may not get a chance to veto if they have enough votes. Something needs to be done to make teachers just as accountable as anyone else. What measure they will use is something the lawmakers will have to decide. I agree with holding them to 1 year contracts for the 1st 5 years though. I don't think anyone deserves a guaranteed job just because they belong to a union.

I also think Charlie Crist is digging a very large hole for himself and one he may not be able to crawl out of. He has fallen off greatly in the polls and actions like this without a decent explanation don't help, but I am not exactly a Crist fan after the support he showed for the joke of a stimulus bill (but that's me personally).

Patriot One said:

Based on the number of phone calls and emails he recieved Christ is representing the less then 1% of Floridians with his veto.. I call that representing special interest (NEA and Teachers). No one has said how much these bad teachers are currently costing the citizens of Florida. I think if we look at the economic and social impact of bad teachers we would find that they cost Floridians far more then merit pay would ever cost. I'm not against teachers, I'm against keeping bad teachers in the system.

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Permalink Reply by Patriot One on April 16, 2010 at 8:36am

I agree like most politicians when they are in a hole they don't know when to stop digging. If he switches to an Independent he is toast. His best shot is as a democrat.

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Permalink Reply by Patricia M. McBride on April 16, 2010 at 8:55am

I agree. He is basically a democrat anyway, so why not just go for it. My belief, however, is that he doesn't want to have to run against anyone (think he would lose all the way around). If he changes to a democrat after the primary, he won't be able to run cause the democrats will already have their guy (or girl as the case may be). If he runs as an independent and messes things up so we end up with a democrat to replace a republican so Crist can stroke his oversized ego, many will not be happy and Charlies can kiss his political career goodbye.

Patriot One said:

I agree like most politicians when they are in a hole they don't know when to stop digging. If he switches to an Independent he is toast. His best shot is as a democrat.

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