http://www.sptimes.com/2006/10/29/Opinion/Jim_Davis_for_governo.shtmlJim Davis for governorExcerpts from the Times editorial
Published October 29, 2006
For eight years, Gov. Jeb Bush and the Republican-controlled Florida Legislature have been largely unchecked while advancing a conservative agenda in areas such as standardized testing in public schools, tax cuts and the privatization of government services. Now it is time to restore some measure of political and ideological balance in Tallahassee. In our judgment, that goal can be best accomplished by electing Jim Davis as governor.
<>Davis best reflects Florida's mainstream values. Over eight years in the state House and a decade in Congress, he has methodically built a centrist record of supporting available and affordable health care, protecting the environment and improving public education. The 49-year-old Tampa Democrat has never been among the most partisan or the most vocal, and he is more comfortable working behind the scenes than grabbing headlines. But do not mistake his low-key approach for a lack of determination. In Tallahassee, he helped persuade his colleagues to ban fundraising during the legislative session. He first ran for Congress as an underdog in a crowded Democratic primary and won against several better-known opponents. And in Washington, he fought hard against those who wanted to drill off Florida's coast and intervene in the Terri Schiavo feeding tube controversy. While we did not recommend him in the Democratic primary for governor, Davis impressed us by aggressively responding to millions of dollars in negative, sometimes misleading attack ads by the sugar industry.
Looking ahead, Florida faces serious challenges even if it manages to avoid a major hurricane in the next year or two. On the most pressing issues, Davis has the more thoughtful approach.
The Democrat has a reasoned plan to restructure the way Florida measures the performance of its schools. The obsession with standardized testing and grading schools has frustrated many teachers and parents. Davis would transform the FCAT into a diagnostic tool instead of a punishing club by abolishing the letter grades that simplistically label schools. Students would get their FCAT tests back, along with study guides to help them address their weaknesses. And Davis would add more variables when evaluating a school, including parental involvement, school discipline and graduation rates. While both Davis and Crist would raise teacher salaries, Crist is a strong supporter of the current FCAT testing. It's encouraging that the former education commissioner is open to fine-tuning the system, but he has not offered specifics.
Similarly, Davis has the most thorough response to concerns about high taxes driven by soaring real estate prices and the inherent inequities created by Save Our Homes. Davis would reduce state-required school property taxes by $1-billion next year and stop the state from continuing to shift its financial obligations onto the backs of local property owners. He would cap assessment increases at 10 percent for owners of businesses and investment properties, the taxpayers who are suffering the most. That offers reasonable relief until there is a broader overhaul of the tax system.
In contrast, Crist would not do anything immediately for business owners or owners of investment properties. He wants to allow counties to double the $25,000 homestead exemption, and he would let homeowners take their Save Our Homes tax break with them if they move. Doubling the homestead could force cuts in services by local governments, and making the Save Our Homes tax break portable only exacerbates its unfairness. These ideas have little support even among other Republicans.
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