F.A.C.E. to FACE   F.A.C.E. BULLETIN 4/20/06   Dear Friends, We thought you would like to see the report by Denise Lasher of our organization (Florida Education Freedom Foundation) on her efforts with F.A.C.E. to get Democrats to sign on the bill. This bill lets the existing Opportunity Scholarship Students convert to the tax credit program, but does not perpetuate it into the future. We are especially grateful for the assistance from Tola Thompson from BAEO for his work with the black caucus.       Thank you for Stepping Up For Students, Michael A. Benjamin Executive Director, F.A.C.E. Florida Alliance for Choices in Education         ________________________________ On Wednesday, March 23rd, the House passed the accountability bill we have been working for three years to pass. The battle then moved to the Senate. Lawmakers approve bill to move students from unconstitutional voucher program Children can switch to program allowed by Supreme Court BILL KACZOR Associated Press TALLAHASSEE - Most students in an unconstitutional voucher program could switch to another one that hasn't yet been challenged, while participating private schools would have to meet accountability standards under a bill passed Thursday by the House. The vote was 95-25. Ten Democrats joined all 85 of the chamber's Republicans in support of the bill, which now goes to the Senate, where a similar bill (SB 10) has not yet received a committee hearing. Democratic Rep. Phillip Brutus of North Miami said he was voting for the bill (HB 7041) as a lesser of two evils in part because he wants children in the stricken program to stay in private schools at public expense for the sake of continuity in their education. "I'm doing this for the children in my district," Brutus said. "These children cannot be left in the cold." About 700 students are in the Opportunity Scholarship Program, a cornerstone of Gov. Jeb Bush's 1999 public school accountability plan known as "A-Plus." The Florida Supreme Court in January ruled that it violates a provision in the state constitution calling for a uniform system of free public schools by setting up a separate system of private schools.          Only students from public schools deemed by the state to be failing can qualify for opportunity vouchers. The high court ruling did not affect about 30,000 students in two other programs for poor and disabled children. The bill would let about 75 percent of the failing school voucher students change to the program for poor children, which is paid for through corporate tax credits.          The bill's accountability standards include fingerprinting and criminal background checks of teachers and others who come in contact with students at the private schools, but critics said they don't go far enough. Some Democrats also argued the bill is an end-run around the Supreme Court decision. "House bill 7041 is about vouchers and in the word 'vouchers' is the word 'ouch,' " said Rep. Eleanor Sobel, D-Hollywood. "Ouch to the ouch in vouchers with a systematic plan to take public taxpayers' funds and give them to the private schools, home schoolers and virtual schools."          The bill's sponsor, Rep. Joe Pickens, R-Palatka, responded in kind. "You know what else besides 'ouch' is in this bill, it is the word 'choice,' " Pickens said. "You know what else is in this bill, the word 'opportunity' and you know what's in the word 'opportunity,' the concept of hope." The House also passed a bill (HB 75) changing the way money is allocated to pay for students who leave juvenile justice facilities and get private school vouchers in the program for disabled children named for former Senate President John McKay. It would take the money from the student's home school district, not the one where the juvenile justice facility is located as now done. A 119-0 vote sent the bill to the Senate where and identical bill (SB 1152) is awaiting its first committee hearing. ________________________________   Report from Tuesday April 11th’s House committee hearing illustrating some of the absurdity of the opposition and also some refreshing honesty from one Democrat. Unfortunately, he is term limited this year and is running for City Council in Orlando. Also attached is a brief account of one Democrat's effort to change the language of the amendment. ________________________________ On Tuesday, April 11th’,  the House Education Appropriations Committee heard Rep Rubio's bill which will place on the ballot the opportunity to change the constitution to allow state funds to be used in pre K thru college faith based institutions. We, along with FACE, arranged for a Voluntary Pre-K  (VPK) mother from Innovation School of Excellence (Christian school) in Tallahassee to speak on the benefits of using VPK  vouchers at faith based schools.  She was the only parent there, not counting the State PTA chairperson who said they do not even support the McKay Scholarships for Disabled Children. She also said "vouchers" are only for K-12,  and pre K and college options are called scholarships not vouchers because they are voluntary.          Our parent was acknowledged several times during the members' debate as the reason we need choices in education. After the parent spoke Rep Antone- D Orlando, and a member of the Black Caucus, told her he would support the bill.  He is the only Democrat so far in the House to support the bill in a committee.  Last week Sen. Larcenia Bullard- D Miami and also a member of the Black Caucus voted in committee to support the bill.  Rep Antone sends his own child to private school.          After the meeting I made a point for the parent to thank Rep Antone- he said no thanks needed- he sends his own child to private school and he thinks all parents should have options not just those with money. We hope to pickup a few other Democrat votes in the House when it goes to the floor for a vote. Denise Lasher Legislature 2006: Developments from day 36, April 11 Palm Beach Post Wednesday, April 12, 2006 What's in a name? When the word is "vouchers," a lot. Republicans dominating the House shot down a Democratic attempt to use the actual term "voucher" in Gov. Jeb Bush's proposed constitutional amendment preserving school voucher programs. Bush's Opportunity Scholarship program was struck down by the Florida Supreme Court this year, and lawyers on both sides believe the remaining two programs are also at risk. Rep. Shelley Vana, D-Lantana, tried to insert the word "voucher" because she said she wanted "truth in advertising." Republicans on the House Education Appropriations Committee, though, accused her of trying to put a "poison pill" in the language to take advantage of the way Democrats have "demonized" vouchers in public discourse. They defeated her amendment on a voice vote, en route to approving the proposal (HJR 1573). If the measure clears both legislative chambers, it would go on the November ballot as an amendment question asking voters to permit lawmakers to give vouchers to any child in Florida. ________________________________

 

Florida Alliance for Choices in Education (F.A.C.E)

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