Democrat Joe Saunders will stand up for our schools and fight the Tallahassee special interests
TALLAHASSEE, FL — The Florida Democratic Party today released a new television ad, “Who,” highlighting how Tea Partier Marco Pena supports increasing the cost of healthcare for Floridians and Rick Scott’s $1.3 billion dollars cuts to Florida’s schools — forcing teacher layoffs and cuts to vital programs like arts and athletics — while Democrat Joe Saunders has pledged to stand up to the corporate special interests in Tallahassee and protect our education system. The ad will begin airing on major television stations starting today. Proof and transcript below.
“As Floridians learn more about Tea Partier Marco Pena, it’s becoming clear that he supports an extreme Republican agenda that is out of step with Florida’s values,” said Brannon Jordan, spokeswoman for the Florida Democratic Party. “Just like Rick Scott, Pena wants to increase the cost of healthcare, allow insurance companies to discriminate against patients with pre-existing conditions like cancer — and even supported the Republican’s failed education policies which are hurting our parents, teachers and students. There’s a clear choice in this election: Democrat Joe Saunders will stand up for our schools and fight to protect Florida’s middle class families, while Republican Marco Pena will vote in lock step with Republicans like Rick Scott who are moving our state in the wrong direction.”
TITLE: “WHO”
TYPE: 30 Seconds TV
DATE :10/16/12
| VO: Who is Marco Pena? Tea Partier Pena will fight for special interests, not the middle class. |
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| VO: Pena would throw kids off their parent’s coverage and force us to pay out of pocket for cancer screenings. And Pena would allow insurance companies to discriminate against people with pre-existing conditions. | “Marco on Healthcare,” VotePena, 7/30/12 accessed 10/16/12. |
| VO: He even supported Rick Scott’s 1.3 billion dollar education cuts. We can’t afford Republican Marco Pena. | Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board Meeting, 9/26/12.
For more information about the impact of the GOP’s failed K-12 policies, please see this new memo released by the Florida Democratic Party, “Understanding the Impact of the GOP’s Failed K-12 Education Policies.”
Republicans cut funding for public education for five consecutive years, including cutting $1.3 billion in 2011 alone. “The budget does not make up for five consecutive years of cuts to K-12 spending, including $1.3 billion in cuts Scott approved last year.” [Times Herald, 4/18/12]
In 2012, Republicans failed to restore education funding to the same level following their historic cuts. “The boost from last year does not overcome past budget cuts — $1.3 billion statewide last year alone;” “Scott also brags in the ad that the state put $1 billion more into school funding this year, wholly ignoring the $1.3 billion in cuts to K-12 funding Scott approved the previous year.” [Florida Times Union, 2/28/12; Tampa Bay Times,9/12/12]
Republicans included 0 dollars for public school construction or repair. “Florida’s schools, community colleges and state universities, which anticipate zero construction dollars, will be forced to stop or put off for years many dozens of new projects, including repairs to roofs and air-conditioners” [Sunshine State News, 3/3/2012]
Republican budget cuts are forcing schools to layoff teachers and cut programs like arts and athletics. “Critics said it doesn’t cover the $1.3 billion cut they got last year…That has school officials contemplating layoffs and the elimination of such programs as arts and athletics” [AP, 4/17/12. See also: WSVN, 4/27/10; The Ledger, 2/20/11; Ocala Star Banner, 9/19/11; Orlando Sentinel, 5/17/11]
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| VO: Democrat Joe Saunders will stand up for our schools and fight to protect our families. |
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