Governor Rick Scott’s budget was unveiled yesterday, and many are holding him accountable for the details of his plan. Yes, this budget is “historic” – it’s an historic disappointment to children across this state. Rick Scott does not want people to pay attention to the details, because the devil is in the details. Improving public education is a priority for Florida’s families and this is not a serious attempt to provide a high-quality education to the children that will one-day shape this state.

Here is just some of the latest coverage of Rick Scott’s inadequate education funding outlined in his budget proposal:

“A re-election blueprint.”

Tampa Bay Times

–

Headline: Editorial: A budget of politics over policy

“Misleading.”

“Nearly 70 percent of the $542 million increase comes from additional local property tax revenue generated by rising property values — yet Scott brags about avoiding tax increases.”

“The governor would spend more construction money on privately run charter schools than on traditional public schools.”

“The state’s 12 public universities can expect to continue to be pinched…”

“Scott’s budget recommendation is just that, and the Legislature is free to write a budget that better addresses Florida’s pressing needs. Don’t count on it.”

Tampa Bay Times

–

“Educators wary.”

Florida Times-Union

–

Headline: Rick Scott says his K-12 education budget proposal is highest in Florida’s history – Half True

” … if we take the total spending for 2007-08 — $18.75 billion — and adjust for inflation, that would equal $20.29 billion in 2013, which is still higher than Scott’s recommendation for total spending of $18.8 billion.”

Politifact Florida

–

Headline: Much of Scott’s proposed education spending boost would come from property taxes

“Two-thirds of the overall increase would be funded by property taxes…. Only about $167 million of the proposed boost would come from state funding.”

House Minorty Leader Perry Thurston: “After cutting education by more than $1 billion in his first year of office, this year’s spending plan appears to be another education shell game that relies on property tax increases.”

Senator Dwight Bullard: “Let the governor explain to the children in crumbling public schools across Florida why they don’t count, too.”

Tampa Bay Times

–

Headline: Orange school leaders say Gov. Scott’s budget isn’t as generous as it seems

Rick Collins, Orange County Public Schools’ Chief Financial Officer: “When you look at the overall actual dollars we are receiving in total [under the governor’s plan] it approximates what all of public education was receiving in 2007, but there are a lot more students now.”

Orlando Sentinel