Following SPLC lawsuit, court strikes misleading Fla. ballot measure that would have eliminated loca

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Southern Poverty Law Center

Following SPLC lawsuit, court strikes misleading Fla. ballot measure that would have eliminated local control of some new public schools
August 20, 2018

A Florida judge ordered today that a proposed state constitutional amendment that would have eliminated local school boards’ duty to regulate some new public schools – including charter schools – be removed from the ballot.

The order follows a lawsuit the SPLC filed last month on behalf of the League of Women Voters of Florida, arguing that the amendment – known as Revision 8 – could not be legally placed on the November 2018 general election ballot because it fails to inform voters of its chief purpose, and because it deliberately conceals its true effect on public schools.

. . .

“The court hereby declares that the ballot title and summary language accompanying Revision 8 does not accurately inform Florida voters of the true effect of the proposed amendment,” Cooper wrote in today’s order.

“The language drafted by the Constitution Revision Commission was misleading, concealing the true intent of the revision from voters, and hiding the crucial effects the measure would have on the powers of locally elected public school boards,” said Zoe Savitsky, deputy legal director for the SPLC. “Preventing Revision 8 from being placed on the ballot keeps all public schools accountable. This is a victory for Florida’s public school children.”

Read more: https://www.splcenter.org/news/2018/08/20/following-splc-lawsuit-court-strikes-misleading-fla-ballot-measure-would-have-eliminated

[lark]

1. Whoohoo for common sense and decency.

This was done deliberately by the RW FL Repugs to hide their malice against public schools and deceive the voters into approving a matter that would otherwise never pass. Thankfully this judge wasn't a trumper or russian repug and ruled with common sense and followed the letter of the law.

[klook]

2. Excellent. (nt)

[Thumbs]

3. Thank Goodness for SPLC

Great outcome. .

[secondvariety]

4. The State

seems to want to eliminate as much local control as they can. For a party that supposedly doesn't like big government, the shit turds in Tallahassee love to stick their nose in local business.