Nothing much to add to these words:

Rep. Dan Gelber: “Speaker Rubio acknowledges that ‘never have we worried more that our children are not being equipped to win the future.’ But I am not sure how we can change course if the message from Tallahassee is cut public education funding. Speaker Rubio also shared his vision of our state having a ‘vibrant and diverse economy.’ But once again, how will we ever achieve this vision if we close the gates of opportunity at our community colleges and universities. Without securing a viable workforce then the hope for a knowledge-based economy will remain only a vision and not a reality. We cannot strive to be the best without investing in our higher education institutions. If we maintain a path of continued education budget cuts, we will be creating a state where opportunities will no longer exist. I agree that we must endeavor to confront the economic crisis our state faces with meaningful solutions that better the life for our children.”

Rep. Jack Seiler: “If we continue ignoring the alarming high school dropout rates then we will have failed our children. Our high schools cannot be ‘drop out factories’ because it will have devastating effects on our long-term economic viability. The same is true for our community colleges and universities. Our state’s economic strength will continue eroding if we shut down the opportunities for Floridians to pursue higher education. Democrats offered an alternative to these cuts. We can use reserves to avoid these unimaginable cuts that derail opportunities for millions of our children. We can chart a new course today by making rational decisions.”

Rep. Bill Heller: “It doesn’t make sense to cut opportunities when Floridians rely on state universities, like community colleges, when economic times get bad. It is no surprise that our state universities are the economic engine in so many states. Our state, known for its diversity should be the leader in economic stability. But we are losing ground by not investing in our state’s higher education system. By approving these cuts, House Republicans are cutting opportunities for some of our brightest citizens, our brightest thinkers.”

Rep. Luis Garcia: “We are faced today with difficult challenges. We have a weakening economy and revenue shortfalls that are stretching our budget thin. In my hometown of Miami-Dade, thousands of individuals are enrolling in Miami Dade College so they are better prepared for new opportunities. This hits home for me. I left Cuba decades ago and came to the United States for the opportunity to better my life. Like me, thousands of families share my story in Miami-Dade and across the state. We cannot reduce opportunities for our hard working families. We should work to maximize them. We have the money to address these cuts so that we can allow the dreams of so many Floridians to continue.”

Rep. Dorothy Bendross-Mindingall: “I ask you this simple question, when will we reach the tipping point of putting our public education system in collapse if we continue to drain our public schools of resources? Our greatest hope of achieving economic prosperity is to improve our public schools, not cutting opportunities for our students. We will be talking about a world class education system this session at the behest of Speaker Rubio. But how can we achieve that by cutting opportunities to a system that already has one if not the lowest graduation rates in the country? How can we talk about world class schools when we fail to spend adequately on public schools? Public schools are an economic boost, not pork to be cut.”

Rep. Franklin Sands: “It is without question that our state’s education system is in trouble. Republicans in Tallahassee have continued to slash budgets while leaving our school districts with minimal resources to secure a world-class education system; the education environment needed for students to compete in the global, competitive job market. This legislature must get serious about affording our children and young adults real opportunities to better their lives. The budget cuts instituted by House Republicans are wrong and sever opportunities for our young generation. Today, House Democrats offered fiscally responsible solutions to address the unthinkable education budget cuts.”

Rep. Joyce Cusack: “Speaker Rubio challenged the Florida House yesterday to build a state where opportunities exist for our children and families working hard to better their future. However, how can our children, the future leaders of our state and nation, be afforded opportunities when we are cutting education funding? This debate is simple. Cutting education means cutting opportunities. The very same opportunities that Speaker Rubio and many of my colleagues had to build a future of success and victories. We either cut opportunities for our children or take steps to restore the opportunity for greatness. House Democrats are prepared to take our state down a course where we achieve for greatness, not mediocrity.”

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