January 28, 2018
Local News
House passes ‘union-busting’ bill amid labor furor
On Thursday, a controversial measure that could have a broad impact on public-sector unions in Florida (HB 25) passed the state House of Representatives on a mostly party-line vote Thursday, but faces more resistance in the Senate. READ MORE HERE!
While the fate of HB 25 remains to be seen as all eyes are on the Florida Senate, now is not the time to sit by idly! Our FEA officers join us on Monday, February 5th at 5 p.m. for a Town Hall Meeting at the Escambia FEA Office located at 6551 N. Palafox St. The focus of this meeting will be on HB 25 and the impacts that it may have on Our Union, Our Contract, and Our Profession. We are asking that Santa Rosa EA members and leaders plan to attend this important meeting to learn more about the bill and what we need to do to stop it from passing.
Please Click here to fill out a survey and let us know if you will be able to attend our meeting. Those who attend will be entered into a drawing to have one of the FEA officers shadow them for a day!!
Join Santa Rosa EA Now, Pay Later!
With constant attacks on public education and unions like HB 25, there has not been a better time to become a member of Santa Rosa EA. Santa Rosa is providing several options now that we have secured payroll deduction for dues collection. The following 4 options are available:
- Payroll deduction, using “Join Now, Pay Later”: Deduct you dues from your monthly paycheck beginning in March. Legal service protection will become effective 30 days after your first dues payment with this option.
- Payroll deduction without “Join Now, Pay Later.” If you need legal service protections to begin sooner, deduct your dues beginning with the first paycheck after your enrollment.
- Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT): Deduct your dues from your checking or savings account.
- Switch from EFT to Payroll Deduction. Opt for no interruption in legal service protections, or opt for “Join Now, Pay Later” and your legal service will resume 30 days after the first payroll dues deduction.
CLICK HERE TO JOIN SANTA ROSA EA TODAY!
State News
“I’m Bullied Every Day…”
On Monday the Senate Education Committee heard SB 1172 by Senator Galvano, companion to HB 1. The bill was amended in committee to ensure that before a child can obtain a bully voucher the school principal must substantiate a claim of bullying, violence, threats or harassment. While this was an improvement- and one of FEA’s concerns with the bill – the bill still is highly problematic. It creates a new voucher using sales and use tax yet does nothing to prevent children from becoming victims of bullying, violence or harassment.
FEA lobbyist Stephanie Kunkel testified in opposition to the bill and was joined at the podium by Sothern Poverty Law Center and Common Ground. Senator Tom Lee in his debate on the bill, while raising concerns with the bill as drafted, jokingly stated “I’m bullied every day up here. Someone doesn’t like my vote and my bills die.” While he ultimately voted in favor of the bill, we hope that Senator Lee’s comments will ensure the bill is amended as it moves forward in the process. The bill passed down a party line 6-4 vote.
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National News
Is Progress in Reducing School Suspensions in Jeopardy?
Most of the nation’s largest school districts are actively trying to reduce out-of-school suspensions, but a reversal of Obama-era guidelines could be coming in 2018.
NEA and Girl Scouts Launch New Partnership
NEA and the Girls Scouts of the USA are teaming up to promote civics education.
Remember, the Big Picture Matters!
Santa Rosa Education Association