Son of SB 6? Debate On SB 736 Nowhere Near as Dramatic

The House spent Wednesday afternoon debating SB 736, a measure changing teacher pay based on performance and assessments instead of relying on seniority and tenure. So far, 25 legislators have taken to the floor to debate the bill -- with more to come.

Controlling only 39 of the 120 seats in the House, Democrats admitted right off the bat that they would lose the vote. That did not deter Rep. Evan Jenne, D-Fort Lauderdale, who spoke right after Democratic Leader Ron Saunders of Key West. We will be heard on behalf of every teacher, student and parent in the state, Jenne insisted.

While the debate is often interesting and even emotional, it simply pales in comparison to the run-up to SB 6 which was passed at 2:26 in the morning on April 9, 2010. With little doubt that Gov. Rick Scott will sign the bill, the intensity and emotion of the clash over SB 6 simply is not there. SB 6 passed 64-55 with 11 Republicans joining Democrats in opposing it; there is no way the vote on SB 736 will be that close.

One of those 11 Republicans was Rep. Mike Weinstein, R-Orange Park, who took to the floor on Wednesday to back SB 736.

It has a lot of the same direction, it has a lot of the same themes, but its different, insisted Weinstein, who pointed to more opportunities for local governments, teachers and unions to shape how it would impact their school districts. The status quo is unacceptable, added Weinstein, saying that SB 736 will continue to be improved as it is implemented.