Maybe not the governor's happiest day, though it produced few surprises.
First thing Monday, Gov. Rick Scott's teacher pay raise plan came under attack.
While cameras rolled, Senate President Don Gaetz said the best way to promote effective teaching is to reward it.
All teachers shouldn't be graded the same, he said, therefore they shouldn't be rewarded the same. Gaetz's opinion on education carries weight, coming as it does from a former school superintendent.
My preference would be that thered be some recognition and reward for teachers who come early, stay late, take on tough challenges and get learning gains as opposed to treating the best teacher in Florida the same as you would treat the worst teacher in Florida," Gaetz explained.
"We dont give everybody in school a C. There are As, Bs, Cs, Ds and Fs.
Gaetz also questioned whether Florida will have enough money for teacher raises. He believes the uncertainty over the sequester budget cuts in Washington could affect the states budget outlook.
All in all, not a good sign for a governor who hoped to jockey his teacher pay-raise plan through the Florida Legislature.
Scott has proposed giving a $2,500 raise to all full-time teachers in Florida. It would cost the state an extra $480 million next year.
Even House Speaker Will Weatherford has said he would like to reward teachers -- but only based on performance, not across the board.
Later the day further darkened for the governor when a Senate select committee rejected moving forward with an expansion of the Medicaid program under the federal Affordable Care Act -- a move Scott avidly favored.
Instead, Chairman Joe Negron, R-Stuart, said he wants to pursue a voucher-like alternative, something that would make coverage available through private insurers.
Florida Senate President Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, released this statement regarding the Senate Select Committee on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, PPACA, voting against the expansion of traditional Medicaid in favor of pursuing a Florida-based solution.
The Senate Select Committee made the right decision today to reject placing a million more Floridians in a federal Medicaid system that has failed providers, patients and taxpayers.
I appreciate the efforts of Senator Negron and members of the PPACA Select Committee as they seek a Florida solution, not a Washington solution, to the problem of low income, uninsured Floridians, the vast majority of whom have jobs and are working to support their families.
The Senate looks forward to working with our colleagues in the House of Representatives to jointly explore how to provide private insurance options, not government-run health care as a replacement for traditional Medicaid. We welcome the governor and others concerned about this issue to join us in getting Florida out of Medicaid as it has existed in the past.
Dave Heller is a Tallahassee freelance reporter/videographer. Reach Nancy Smith at nsmith@sunshinestatenews.com or at (850) 727-0859.
