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We need Elliot Ness. (^:

Voters are getting phone calls and fliers in the mail. The mailings take on Bush for Florida's education budget, tax cuts for business and the elimination of state jobs through budget cuts and privatization. One shows a picture of Bush and says, "Why is Jeb Bush smiling while working families are struggling to make ends meet?"

The flyers should say:

"Bill McBride's "class-size" bill would cost every Floridian, from seniors to single working fathers, to students, everyone.....with little to no return. Why is McBride pushing the "class-size" amendment even though a similar measure failed to help children learn in Ca. and was a disaster for poor students?

If passed, the Amendment to Reduce Class Size could:

Result in a significant decline in teacher quality due to the large demand for new teachers
Cost the state $27 billion (The current overall state budget is only $50 billion!)
Translate into costs of up to $4000 over eight years for each Florida household
Require for the first time a state income tax and/or sharp increases in property taxes
Jeopardize state programs such as health care, family services and law enforcement
Reduce other critical education programs- special education, arts, music, band and extracurricular activities
Force districts to rezone current school boundaries
Eliminate raises for teachers for up to a decade
Cause the use of portables for up to 75% of new classroom space

Florida State Board of Trustees, Florida Chamber of Commerce, Florida Council of Economic Advisors, Fla. Board of Education, Florida School Superintendents all say "NO" to the "class-size" amendment.

Coalition to Protect Florida.