SPEAKER
FEENEY COMMENTS ON CALL FOR SPECIAL SESSION
Education
Has Received Dramatic Increases Over the Last Three Years
July
16, 2001
“Representative
Frankel and Representative Smith, today, called into question
the adequacy of K-12 education funding provided in the State
Budget.
I
would like to point out that under Governor Bush and the
Republican controlled legislature, education funding has
increased by approximately $2.23 Billion in three years, the
highest three-year increase ever!The last three years
the Democrats controlled the House, Senate and Governor’s
Office (’91-’94) funding increased by $881.5 Million.
The
fact remains that members of the Florida Legislature, including
those members who are our critics, dramatically increased
funding during the last three years.
What
can be called into question, however, is the allocation of those
dollars, and how effectively they are reaching our teachers, students
and classrooms. The Florida Legislature has funded education at levels
that exceed the student growth in Florida, and we only hope that the
local, elected school boards use those funds responsibly, and the
taxpayers hold them accountable for ensuring a quality education for our
children.
It
would be irresponsible of the legislature to authorize funding out of a
one-time state funding excess for a program that is recurring,
especially with predictions of a soft economy next year.
While
my friend Representative Frankel is scoring political points for her
gubernatorial race, it is unlikely she’ll have to attend a special
session which would divert attention from her campaign for higher taxes
and bigger government.”
