Gov. Rick Scott has managed to trump the liberal lobby for Big Education by proposing a record funding level for the public schools next year.
It isn't as if the schools need more money. But Scott's proposal to spend $7,176 per pupil takes the wind out of the sails of Big Education.
Tellingly, there were kudos all around.
Indeed, 22 education leaders around the state were quoted in a press release from the governor's office, all praising Scott's move. Noticeably absent was any comment from the teachers' union bosses, who would have been gushing if Scott had a D after his name.
The Republican governor could double education spending and they would sniff in derision and say it should have been more.
It is all about money where liberals are concerned, despite the lack of any evidence that spending more money on the schools will better educate children.
One true believer is Sen. Darren Soto, D-Kissimmee, who has proposed a minimum wage for schoolteachers. None would be paid less than $50,000 under a bill he has filed.
Of course it is ridiculous. Politicians don't know what anyone should be paid. That is a function of the market.
Why is the proper salary not $52,000, or $48,000? In fact, since you are spending other people's money, why not $100,000?
And why only schoolteachers? Shouldn't the Legislature also set the pay of police officers and firefighters? How about plumbers? At least they can fix a stopped toilet.
The goofy bill has zero chance of passing unless the Republican majority loses its collective mind, but it shows the mindset of liberals when it comes to education.
They oppose choice, standards and accountability, which have helped improve educational outcomes in Florida over the past 15 years. Throwing money at the problem, the Democratic "solution" for the preceding 30 years, had no effect. But they assure us that it will -- some unspecified day in the far-off future after today's students are collecting Social Security after a career of flipping burgers.
Every school district in Florida has increased spending over the past 10 years, and still the demand for more. To what end? They never say how it will benefit children. Any increased spending goes largely into the pockets of adults who work in the system -- not to children.
Scott was re-elected last year, and his promise to increase school spending might have peeled off some Democrat votes. So, he is seeking to fulfill his promise. But he should not expect any thanks from liberals or any corresponding betterment in educational outcomes if the Legislature goes along with his plan.
Legislators may be feeling flush with more than $1 billion in new revenue anticipated, but there are other needs, including $750 million a year for buying land, required by Amendment 1.
"New" money never has a chance to get old in Tallahassee.
Lloyd Brown was in the newspaper business nearly 50 years, beginning as a copy boy and retiring as editorial page editor of the Florida Times-Union in Jacksonville. After retirement he served as a policy analyst for Florida Gov. Jeb Bush.
