Education leader upset with state's budget plan

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

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American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten talked about the cuts to education Tuesday in Tallahassee.

TALLAHASSEE (Bay News 9) -- The state legislators' plan to cut almost a half billion dollars from education has caught the attention of one of the nation's most powerful voices in education.

American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten traveled to Tallahassee to discuss ways of avoiding a large financial hit to education in the state.

Weingarten agrees with Florida's teachers union's call to hike the cigarette tax to raise funds. But right now that doesn't look likely.

Weingarten is also urging legislators to make wise use of whatever federal stimulus money comes their way.

"We are going to pound the pavement state to state to state and Washington D.C. until we get a stimulus package that will help reverse these cuts, and help make sure that kids get the promises that the adults -- our adults -- have promised to them," Weingarten said.

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Earlier Tuesday Weingarten met with Gov. Charlie Crist. Crist would play an instrumental role in deciding where that federal stimulus money goes, and he said education would be a top priority.

Weingarten said her visit to Florida is the first in a national campaign her group is calling "Fight for America's Future."