Florida Republican Party Ads Praise Gov. Scott’s Education Record
The Republican Party of Florida has released two new Web videos to defend Gov. Rick Scott’s record on education.
The first is a compilation of news stories about Scott’s statewide tour celebrating his successful push to include teacher raises for the budget year beginning July 1.
Scott asked lawmakers for $480 million in additional salary for teachers and other instructional personnel. Lawmakers agreed to the amount, though they did make some of the pay raise contingent on teacher evaluations.
The ad picks up on Scott’s slogan — and adds a social media touch — noting “#ItsWorking for Teachers” and “#ItsWorking for Students.”
The ad also states next year’s state budget will add $1.2 billion for K-12 funding.
The second ad features a PolitiFact Florida reporter debunking the state Democratic Party chairwoman Allison Tant’s claim that Scott allowed the Legislature to cut his proposed teacher pay raises by 60 percent.
“The governor mostly got what he was asking for,” PoltiFact Florida reporter Angie Holan said. “After we asked, they said it wasn’t right and we rated this false.”
Scott will face a difficult reelection bid next year.
The governor has changed his policies toward education since taking office, when he asked lawmakers to cut K-12 budgets.
Last year Scott asked lawmakers to restore much of those cuts and this year he asked for additional funding and the teacher raises.
Former Republican governor and potential Democratic candidate Charlie Crist has already targeted Scott’s education record.
