The senate education committee membership is now set. If the academic freedom bill pops up during the upcoming session, we are screwed in that committee. Here are the players:
Chair: Sen. Detert (Rep), a new face I am not familiar with. But would the republican party put someone in the chair that wouldn’t vote with the majority of the party?
Vice-chair: Sen. Wilson (Dem), voted against the AF bill last time and even debated to that effect.
Bullard (Dem), voted no last session.
Constantine (Rep), voted yes last session.
Gaetz (Rep), voted yes last session and debated for it.
Sobel (Dem), a new face I am not familiar with.
And here is the bad news … Drumroll please …
Storms (Rep), introduced the bill last session.
Wise (Rep), co-sponsored the bill last session.
Quite a few bills have been filed in the senate over the past couple of days, but so far nothing related to science education. If one does pop up, though, I’ll let you all know right away.
Storms (Rep), introduced the bill last session.
Wise (Rep), co-sponsored the bill last session.
“Dumb and Dumber” are to represent education,good grief thats a blow to Floridas credability.We all know that Storms very track record is fraught with narrow minded theocratic intolerance are we to believe that Storms intentions are not religiously motivated? I think Brandon will be follwing their political shenanigans very intently
I’m a bit more optimistic here. If we can win over two of those “not sure’s”, then we control that committee. I think we know who we need to inform about both evolution and the dangers of “academic freedom” – so let’s fire up those informative emails, brochures, etc. and get going!!!!!
Among these eight, which ones were ever actually educators? Which ones are scientists? Let’s make sure that the newspapers have the answers to those two questions!!!!
One needn’t be a scientist or educator to make good decisions about education, but one must certainly listen to scientists and educators. I’m sorry to hear this.
Brandon, I found this out : Sen. Nancy Detert is from Sarasota County. A Republican county, however known for its liberal views such as strong environmental leanings. And the Sarasota School District is one of the most advanced.
Detert – if I recall is in line to become Senate President some day. So, the chairmanship I believe is more about building a power base.
Wise is my representative. Do you think we should write him BEFORE anything gets going? Or just wait and see what happens?
“Do you think we should write him BEFORE anything gets going?”
If he’s a full-blown creationist, it won’t matter. Otherwise, it’s best to give him the information before he commits himself to supporting the wrong side of the issue.
If I recall correctly, Sen. Wise seemed a bit fed up with the whole thing toward the end of the legislative session, saying something to the effect that there was no way there would be time to consider the house and senate bills. I think folks in Florida should focus on Sen. Sobel and, especially, Sent. Detert, making sure they understand the bogus nature of “weaknesses,” “criticisms,” and “supplementary materials.”
Rhonda Storms… the political train wreck who just won’t stop.