Thread by @FloridaEA

Soon, the Florida House will take up HB 7067 on 2nd reading (meaning it's not up for final passage today, but for questioning & amendments). This bill would funnel even more taxpayer $ to unaccountable & discriminatory private, religious schools.

Follow along for updates 1/x

While waiting for 7067 to be heard (it is the next bill up), here's some good background on the types of schools the House is looking to direct even more taxpayer $ to orlandosentinel.com/news/education…

Still waiting. Here's some more context. More & more of these voucher schools operate almost exclusively w/ taxpayer funding. There is limited data on student performance, but the data that does exist shows voucher-dependent schools perform much worse than other private schools.

It's time 7067 is now being discussed. You can watch live here: thefloridachannel.org

Rep. @johncortesfl is first in questioning, he asks Rep. @voteforjennifer, "How did you come up w/the poverty level?" And points out a family of 4 w/income of over $80k will qualify for the voucher.

Rep. @Javierfor114 is next in questioning. He asks what is the current size, if any, of the waitlist for the program?

Rep. @voteforjennifer: I don't know.

(That's b/c there isn't a waitlist.)

Rep. @Javierfor114 continues, do we have demographic information as to the income distribution of the families who use the vouchers?

Re. @voteforjennifer: I can get you that information, but I don't have it now.

Rep. @Javierfor114 points out "54% of the participating schools in Dade County showed negative academic gains. Does this bill have any academic requirements?"

Rep. @voteforjennifer: No, academic accountability is only for public schools.

Next in questioning is @FentriceD, "Why are we not open to adding academic accountability measures at this time?"

Rep. @voteforjennifer: I will not address your question.

(Seriously, those were her words.)

Rep. @AnnaForFlorida's turn for questions. "What is the need to continue the expansion if the waitlist was eliminated?"

Rep. @voteforjennifer: We still have capacity, so we will expand the program.

Something that shouldn't get lost in this discussion is even with the massive voucher expansion over the past decade, the % of students attending private schools hasn't changed. What has changed is now taxpayers pay for those students to attend private schools.

Rep. @AnnaForFlorida "What qualifications are there for educators in the voucher schools?"

Rep. @voteforjennifer We've done things in previous years, but I don't know what they are.

Rep. @AnnaForFlorida "I have two questions on discrimination. Has there been any discussion on protections for hairstyles."

Rep. @voteforjennifer "I'm going to choose not to answer that." (Direct quote).

Rep. @TinaPolsky is next in questioning. "Do you know what public school pension debt will be?"

Rep. @voteforjennifer: This bill doesn't address that.

Rep. @TinaPolsky: Yes it does. It takes money from public schools.

Rep. @Javierfor114 "The performance of our public schools is widely reported on. Are parents made aware of the performance of voucher schools?

Rep. @voteforjennifer: I mean, students at voucher schools get report cards. That's good enough, right?

Rep. @Javierfor114 "Do we track progress on voucher school students vs. public school students?"

Rep. @voteforjennifer "I would say there are things we require; however, I think really it's up to the parent. Government is not heavy-handed. It's up to the parent."

Rep. @Javierfor114 "The proposed change you're talking about would allow 46,000 new students to participate in voucher programs. That's more than many school districts. Shouldn't we hold voucher schools accountable?"

Rep. @voteforjennifer: No.

Rep. @Javierfor114 "I noted in pg. 14 of analysis, there are no constitutional issues identified. Are you familiar with Bush v. Holmes?"

Rep. @voteforjennifer "I don't think the program is unconstitutional.

Rep. @AnnaForFlorida is back. "Could you comment on the average time a student uses a voucher?"

Rep. @voteforjennifer "I'd be happy to follow up at a later time.

(There's a 61% turnover rate)

Questioning has ended.

It's now time for amendments.

As he has done in the past, Rep. @CarlosGSmith will attempt to provide protections for LGBTQ students. His amendment also would extend protections for hairstyle discrimination.

Wondering why hairstyle discrimination protection is needed?

Read this,

orlandosentinel.com/news/education…

"This is an amendment idea that came from Sen. @SenMannyDiazJr," says @CarlosGSmith as he introduces an amendment to hold voucher schools to same bullying policies as public schools.

Rep. @CarlosGSmith explains, this amendment does not require voucher schools to have any particular policy--just that whatever policies they have must be published?

Rep. @AnnaForFlorida asks, "Would you characterize this as a compromise amendment?"

Rep. @CarlosGSmith "Yes. This amendment doesn't end discrimination, this amendment just makes voucher school policies public."

Rep. @voteforjennifer "Parents have asked for this. Parents haven't come to me needing this. So, please don't support this amendment" to require voucher schools to make their policies public.

@KimDanielsFL "I want to be sure this (amendment) doesn't open doors for schools to be harassed."

(The implication being if voucher schools are honest about their discrimination, people will criticize those schools for their discrimination.)

Rep. @KimDanielsFL "I am an advocate for the G-O-S-P-E-L," as she explains why she supports the right for private schools to keep their policies secret. Making them publish their policies would, in her words, "violate the exercise of free religion."

"In 20 years of this scholarship program, not one case of LGBTQ discrimination has been noted," says Rep. @KimDanielsFl

(She must know that's not true. Surely she knows about the Haagenson family.) orlandosentinel.com/news/education…

Rep. @AnnaForFlorida is next up in debate, "It is clear this entire body recognizes discrimination is real. This amendment does not change any policies; it just adds greater transparency."

(Here's the language again)

Rep. @GoodforFlorida is next. She says, "This amendment just requires disclosure. Just requires transparency. That's the least we can do is allow parents to know what kind of school they will send their children to."

"I like this amendment in large part b/c it doesn't tell schools what to do or how to do it. It just tells the school to have a policy and tell us what it is. That's the right thing to do," says Rep. @JoeGellerFL

@CarlosGSmith thanks Reps. @KimDanielsFL and @NEWTFL for their remarks and for standing up for their convictions as he closes on his amendment.

"We have three amendments, just so we know,' says @CarlosGSmith "this is a transparency amendment. Much of the debate has not been related to this amendment. This amendment helps parents make an informed choice and prevent unintentional humiliation."

Remembers, as always. You can watch the debate live here:

thefloridachannel.org

"That's the beauty of school choice, once you know you pick the school that is best for your child. Once you know. We want to know the polices of the schools so parents can make the best choice," says @CarlosGSmith

Rep. @CarlosGSmith's first amendment fails on a voice vote.

His second amendment asks for a study on discrimination in voucher schools. Like the first one, he describes this as a "compromise amendment."

"I introduced this on the floor 3 weeks ago, and I withdrew it. In part b/c I wanted to give stakeholders the time to work behind the scenes to address the issue. Now we're in the final stretch. This is the last remaining legislative vehicle," says @CarlosGSmith

"If you believe that not one case of anti-LGBTQ discrimination has ever happened in voucher schools, you shouldn't have a problem with a study to prove it. This study gives is data and facts. Why would be afraid of that," asks @CarlosGSmith in closing on his 2nd amendment.

*us

"No one stood up in debate. No one stood up because no one can defend why we can't have a study. Members, please work with me," says @CarlosGSmith before his 2nd amendment fails--also on a voice vote.

"So, this is my last amendment. This one actually address the issue of discrimination. Here is how we will address it," says @CarlosGSmith introducing his final amendment on 7067.

He then points out line 30 in particular.

Rep. @ByronDonalds asks, "Why is line 30 (which make sit explicit that the amendment does not infringe on the free exercise of religion) important?"

Rep. @CarlosGSmith: Respect for LGBTQ students and the free exercise of religion are not mutually exclusive.

Rep. @JamesGrantFL: "Are you aware of anything in the voucher program that prevents a school from affirming LGBTQ students?"

Rep. @CarlosGSmith: No. They can be pro-inclusion. In fact, there are many examples like this. This amendment requires all schools do the same.

Rep. @Javierfor114 asks, "If we provide public $ to private schools, is it appropriate for us as a body to require certain discrimination policies?"

Rep. @CarlosGSmith: Other states do this, and federal courts have long recognized that such requirements are legal.

Rep. @AnnaForFlorida asks, "For clarity sake, your amendment includes every type of school, correct? Why?"

Rep. @CarlosGSmith: I don't think it's fair to say discrimination against LGBTQ students is unique to private, voucher schools. We know this happens in all types of schools

Rep. @AnnaForFlorida "No school is forced to take vouchers, correct?"

Rep. @CarlosGSmith "Of course not. No school has to participate in the voucher program."

Rep. @AnnaForFlorida "Are there religious schools in the voucher program that are LGBTQ-affirming?"

Rep. @CarlosGSmith "Yes, there are schools like Bishop Moore, a Catholic school in Orlando" that is LGBTQ-affirming & takes vouchers.

In debate Rep. @TinaPolsky "Imagine if we as a Legislature gave money to schools that discriminated against students based on race...our students deserve fairness in the schools we fund. Any private school can discriminate, but don't take taxpayer money to do it."

Rep. @voteforjennifer debating on the amendment says, "You can be loving, inclusive, and accepting of LGBTQ students" while also denying them the right to attend the school they want to choose because of their sexuality.

orlandosentinel.com/news/education…

"I love that this amendment does not target just one type of school. It unpacks the reality that every school needs to be doing better," says Rep. @AnnaForFlorida asking her colleagues to support the amendment.

Rep. @CindyPoloFL103, tells Rep. @CarlosGSmith "I apologize that many of us have not been in our seats during the debate and discussion on this very important amendment."

"This started during the 2017 legislative session," as he recounts the passage of the "Hope" Voucher. "I've been on this for awhile. And we now know at least 83 voucher schools have explicit discrimination policies."

"There could be more than 83 schools that have these polices. Their enrollment practices and polices are not public record," says Rep. @CarlosGSmith closing on his amendment.

"If the parent is in a same-sex relationship. Me. If Jerick and I decide we want to adopt children. There are schools that will not take our kid. They will say, 'We don't want your kind.' That has a very, very ugly meaning." says @CarlosGSmith

"What if your child wants to go to Trinity Academy in Orlando b/c they have a state-award winning debate club? They go there and find out students who say 'I am gay' will be expelled. School choice is meaningless if the school says, "We don't take your kind," says @CarlosGSmith

"I've heard a lot about tolerance. When I speak to my own family, I use the word acceptance because that's what I'm working towards, and I still don't have that. This amendment doesn't even require acceptance, it just requires tolerance," closes Rep. @CarlosGSmith

As with the prior two amendments, this one failed on a voice vote. With no more amendments, the bill has moved on to 3rd reading.

@threadreaderapp unroll, please