Why Don't They Listen?

First, they sold us the Lottery as the answer to our education budget woes.

Then, they started reducing the amount of general revenue funds devoted to education, replacing them with money from the Lottery (which, remember, was supposed to be in addition to what came out of the general fund).

For the last few years, they've cut education funding even further each year, and threaten to cut it more this year.

Meanwhile, our schools cut expenses everywhere they can. At first, it was administrative overhead - Who could argue with that? Now, school days are shorter, fewer classes are offered, teachers are being laid off and parents are being told they have to figure out transportation themselves.

Our elected officials in Tallahassee don't seem to be listening to the voters I've talked to. Perhaps they haven't heard from enough of us. Perhaps they don't take us seriously, since most of us won't bother to vote in the next election, anyway. Perhaps they have fallen under the influence of people who, for some reason, want our public schools to fail.

If you want our children to get a quality education, tell your state Representative or Senator! Remind them that they represent you.