My Take on Florida's Constitutional Amendments

Some people have asked me to explain and offer an opinion on the Constitutional Amendments which appear on Florida's statewide ballot this year. And being so full of myself, I decided to go ahead and proclaim which measures should pass and which should go down.

As I have done before, this post is an index post, a table of contents if you will. The links below go to posts on Rantings From Florida which fully explain my positions on the issues. I hope all of you informed readers will follow each link. Maybe you will agree with me, and go vote just as I tell you. This will provide me with delusions of grandeur beyond imagination. Or maybe you will think I am crazy, leave a nasty comment and deflate my self worth. That's fine too.

Either way, enjoy.

Amendment 1 - Public financing is good. I oppose this repeal

Amendment 2 - Not another tax break. I oppose this giveaway

Amendment 4 - This would stop all growth, good and bad. I oppose it.

Amendments 5 and 6 - Redistricting needs reform. I support these measures.

Amendment 8 - Leave class-size restrictions alone. I oppose this reform killer.

Amendment 8 Will Hurt Class Sizes

Back when the original class-size amendment was on the ballot in 2002, then-Gov. Jeb Bush told us there would be devastating financial consequences should the measure pass. He said repeatedly that it would "block out the sun." Somehow, after eight years of smaller classes, that hasn't happened.

But it still has caused plenty anxiety among state lawmakers and school district administrators. I know few people in executive capacities with public schools who have been crazy about the requirement to keep classes small. But somehow the people inside the classrooms, teachers, have always remained pretty vocal about their support.

As a matter of disclosure, I should say my family has more public school teachers in it than many elementary schools, so I do not come at this without any biases. I do realize that the main reason teachers' unions like this amendment is that it makes it harder for people to fire teachers. The haters will say that protects bad teachers, but trust me, there are plenty of other flaws within the system to do that. Rather, what the class-size amendment does is to stop as many teachers from being laid off because of budget cuts.

The reason Amendment 8, which would allow districts to calculate class-size far more loosely, is coming up right now is because administrators would like the freedom to cut more decent teachers. With falling property values, a stoppage in growth and an unwillingness on the part of elected officials to raise taxes, it has become very hard to keep a school properly staffed. This amendment would mean schools would not need to do that.

Ironically, the thing that has made the running of schools most difficult is the policies of Bush and Republican cronies in Tallahassee. Bush did a lot to raise accountability in schools, but he also imposed a focus on testing that severely dampened the chances a student will graduate with a dynamic and inspiring education. Keeping classes small at least allows teachers the ability to cover the required curriculum and still have the time to offer any individual attention which particular students might need.

To me, that is a very bad idea, and goes against the spirit of the original class-size amendment passed by voters in 2002. If anything, we needed size limits more stringently enforced. I am voting against Amendment 8.