|
Today,
House Speaker Tom Feeney asserted that Education Commissioner
Charlie Crist was in complete compliance with Florida Law and
Legislative proviso language in the 2001-2002 Florida Budget
when he notified the Florida school district superintendents and
school board attorneys of their responsibility to comply with
Section 106.15(4), of the Florida Statutes.
The
law, as it passed in 1997, states, “No person shall make and
no person shall solicit or knowingly accept any political
contribution in a building owned by a governmental entity.” |
The
proviso language in the 2001-2002 Florida Budget sets up a penalty for
noncompliance with this long-standing state law by saying “The
Commissioner of Education shall withhold the distribution of
discretionary lottery funds from any school district which fails to
comply with the provisions of s.106.15, F.S.”
“What
Commissioner Crist did was to remind the School district superintendents
and school board attorneys of the existing law, how to comply, and what
the consequences would be should they choose to disregard that law. Commissioner Crist provided technical support to districts while
implementing the law as his responsibilities require him to do,”
stated House Speaker Tom Feeney.
The
proviso language was enacted by the Legislature when it learned that an
estimated 17 School Districts were in compliance with this law, but the
other 50 School Districts were not in compliance.
House
Speaker Tom Feeney further stated that, “Everyone, including School Boards should follow
the law. The Legislature
has clearly established that government school property and facilities
shouldn’t be used for political fundraising purposes.”
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You can contact the Speaker
via email or
Capitol Office:
Room 420 The Capitol, 402 S. Monroe St., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300
Phone (850)488-1450
|
District Office:
P.O. Box 622109
Oviedo, FL
32762-2109
(407)977-6500
SUNCOM: 392-6500
|
|
