Governor’s Budget Proposal Shortchanges Students, Families, and Educators Instead of Prioritizing Them

A budget demonstrates values, and this proposal makes it clear that Florida’s students are not valued by the Governor.

Florida’s students deserve public schools that are safe, welcoming, and focused on the excitement of learning. We hoped the Governor’s budget would reflect that ideal by investing in what matters: a robust curriculum that prepares students for their next chapter, real solutions to the massive teacher and staff shortage so that every student has a professionally trained and certified teacher in front of them, and the resources students need to thrive in today’s world. But unfortunately, the Governor has failed Florida’s students.

Despite Florida ranking 45th in the nation in per-student funding and 50th in the nation in average teacher pay, the Governor’s budget offers little to address the waste and abuse of education funding. In fact, instead of fixing these failures, his budget doubles down on them, continuing to support policies that divert billions of taxpayer dollars into the hands of unelected private interests while leaving public schools and their students behind. And while the Governor continues to tout “record” investments in educator pay, the lived experiences of educators tell a different story. Eight years of broken promises have left them in a financial crisis, struggling to afford rent, homeowners’ insurance, groceries, healthcare, childcare, and other basic day-to-day expenses. This story is all too familiar for many Floridians who know it’s far more expensive to live in Florida now, under the Governor’s leadership, than before he took office.

The budget is now in the hands of lawmakers. It is now up to them to right the ship. We’re calling on the Florida Legislature to stand boldly for public schools, where 80 percent of parents proudly opt to send their children, and to pass a budget that strengthens our schools so every child can have the education and future they deserve.