Florida Dems Hit Rick Scott on Education, Ignore Crist's Term

The Florida Democratic Party went on the attack against Gov. Rick Scott, launching a new video against him, hitting him on education spending. But Allison Tant, the chairwoman of the Florida Democrats, tried to ignore the record of former Gov. Charlie Crist. Tant noted that per-pupil spending is below 2007 levels, the first year of Crists term as governor. After leaving the GOP in 2010, Crist ran for the U.S. Senate with no party affiliation before joining the Democrats in 2012. Crist is now the favorite for the Democratic nomination to challenge Scott.

For three years, Floridians have witnessed the devastating effects Rick Scott has had on public education. Now, in addition to running for re-election, Rick Scott is trying to run from his record of slashing education funding while lining the pockets of special interests and top campaign contributors, said Tant on Monday. But no amount of poll-tested talking points can change the fact that per-pupil spending still remains below 2007 levels, and that Bright Futures serves far fewer students than it did seven years ago.

This week, Rick Scott is expected to sign a budget filled with hundreds of millions in pork-barrel spending, Tant added. He will have to answer to Floridas teachers, students, and parents for every dollar he fails to veto as our schools continue to struggle. Floridians will be watching carefully as Rick Scott decides whats most important: pet projects for special interests or giving our children the best education possible.