In this election year Florida politicians are spinning like crazy to make their education budget numbers sound good. For example, Sen. Don Gaetz asserts the misleading claim that education funding is at its “highest in Florida history.” The 2007, Florida Legislature passed a per pupil funding figure of $7,305.79. The 2016 proposed Senate budget reflects per pupil funding at $7,249.23, while the House figure is $7,232.57. Then there’s Gov. Scott’s funding wish of $7,221 per pupil. How can any of these numbers be “historical” when they’re between $57 and $84 dollars less than we spent nine years ago?
This observation first appeared as part of The Orlando Sentinel 100
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