Governor Charlie Crist Veto Stops Bill

more images

FLORIDA (GaeaTimes.com)- Governor of Florida Charlie Crist vetoed the merit pay bill that was being hugely debated in the state. The bill stated that the teachers in the schools of the state would be getting their paychecks in accordance to the test results of their students. This, of course, was not well received by the teachers, who felt that the bill would be overlooking all their educational qualifications on the basis of the merits of their students. Therefore, it was small surprise that the teachers rejoiced when the bill got stalled by Governor Charlie Crist’s veto.

The bill, if it had been passed, would have ensured that the tenure for the new teachers be based on the performance of the students, and also base the salaries of all the teachers on the same. The teachers unions across Florida opposed the bill on the grounds that the bill would be making it more difficult for the schools in the state to hire competent teachers, and would also no longer allow the teachers to bargain on their salaries, violating a basic right. Despite the fact that the bill was being backed by the other Republicans on the grounds of improvement of educational standards, Governor Charlie Crist vetoed it.

In fact, it is this very fact that highlights the difference between the Governor of Florida and the other Republican leaders. The Governor himself said that he had vetoed the bill following the reaction he received from the teachers’ unions, which had opposed the bill starkly. Initially, Governor Charlie Crist had been supporting the bill.