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Andrew Gillum Debuts Plans To Improve Education, Raise Teacher Salaries

Gillum speaks at a press conference to propose his education plan.
Eleanor Clark
/
WFSU

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum unveiled his plans to raise teacher salaries and improve education statewide. His plan calls for $1 billion to go towards education.

At a press conference Tuesday, Gillum said 98 percent of corporations would not pay more in taxes in order to fund the $1 billion his plan requires, and none of that money would come from Floridians’ own taxes. Gillum also spoke of improving access to trade and skills training, in addition to other actions.

“Under my plan we are going to pay a starting salary for teachers of $50,000 and increase the salaries of teachers and teaching professionals to the national averages. We’re going to improve early childhood education, the segment of our education system that we know is most important to the outcomes of our kids not just in the early years, but over the arch of their lives", Gillum said.

Gillum believes his plan can draw bipartisan agreement, noting it’s not much different than the ideas former Republican gubernatorial candidate Adam Putnam proposed during his campaign.

Eleanor Clark is a recent graduate from Florida State University with degrees in International Affairs and Creative Writing. Before interning at WFSU, she spent time in New York City as the Civic Engagement Coordinator for Columbia University’s high school program. Some of Eleanor’s favorite things are watching the Great British Bake Off, eating soup dumplings, and spending time with her dog, Cooper. Follow her on Twitter: @Nell_Clark_