Legislative Democrats aren’t waiting for Governor Rick Scott to deliver his State of the State address today. They slammed it on Monday.
Democrats actually may be more supportive than Republicans on one key element of Scott’s agenda – a $2,500 pay raise for teachers.
But Democratic Senator Dwight Bullard, a teacher, asked where the state would be if Scott hadn't cut $1.3 billion dollars for education from his first budget in the first place, back in 2011.
"Now Governor Scott thinks he can just flip a switch, a magic switch, and undo all the harm he has done by talking the talk", Bullard complained. "Well, Governor, we simply ask you to walk the walk."
Republican legislative leaders are also wary of Scott's plan to give teachers an across-the-board raise. House Speaker Will Weatherford and others say they prefer a merit pay system.