By Lynn Hatter
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wfsu/local-wfsu-895226.mp3
Tallahassee, FL – The Florida House has approved an expansion of the Corporate Tax Scholarship Program, commonly called School Vouchers, and passed another measure that will let voters decide whether to loosen class size caps.
The voucher bill raises the ceiling on how much money businesses can steer toward the program, and adds additional reporting requirements on the schools that accept students using those vouchers. Representative Will Weatherford, Republican of Wesley Chapel, sponsored the bill.
"We have got to get away from this mentality that because I live in zip code 33543, that I am destined to go to a certain school; forced to go to a certain school. Ladies and gentlemen, that is not the 21st century."
The bill passed on a bipartisan vote, with 95 lawmakers in support and only 23- against it. It now goes to Governor Charlie Crist's desk.
The chamber also passed a bill that would ask voters to loosen the state's class size limits. The proposal cleared the House 77 to 41, with the vote largely split along party lines. The Senate passed its version earlier in the session.