Postononpolitics: Charlie Crist will veto SB6! Press conference set for noon.

Veto!

by Michael C. Bender | April 15th, 2010
That’s the decision from Republican Gov. Charlie Crist on the controversial bill that would end tenure for public school teachers and base future pay raises mostly on student test scores.

The announcement will be hailed as a victory by teachers and will derided by Republican leaders in the legislature who crafted the bill.

The decision threatens to cast a shadow over the final three weeks of session, as GOP leaders chafe over the second priority vetoed by Crist in a month. It could have implications for Crist’s bid for the Senate, one in which he has refused to douse rumors that he’ll abandon the Republican primary and run as an independent.

Developing….

http://www.postonpolitics.com/2010/04/veto/?cxntcid=breaking_news

Gov. Charlie Crist has vetoed merit-pay for teachers legislation.

Crist said at a noon news conference that it is "contrary to the best interests of the people of Florida."

The governor said he vetoed the legislation, in part, "because of the process by which it passed. This … sped through committees without meaningful imput" from teachers, parents and administrators.

"Sometimes stated goals do not match the words of the bill," Crist said. "I find the content of Senate Bill 6 and the manner of its adoption significantly flawed."

Chief opponent, the Florida Education Association, was quick to praise the governor.

“We’re thankful that the governor realized what some lawmakers wouldn’t,” said FEA Presidenty Andy Ford. “SB 6 was formulated without an ounce of input from anyone within the public school community. Teachers, administrators and parents weren’t consulted and their views of this radical legislation were dismissed repeatedly by many legislators. But Governor Crist listened.”

The highly controversial merit-pay plan for teachers has brought more than 100,000 letters, cards and e-mails, mostly from angry teachers urging him to veto the measure.

The bill was sponsored by Sen. John Thrasher, a Republican from St. Augustine who is also the chairman of the Republican Party of Florida.

http://www.tallahassee.com/article/20100415/BREAKINGNEWS/100415009/Updated--Crist-vetoes-teacher-merit-pay-bill