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Schools

Defections may undercut Republican agenda

Larger class sizes and private school vouchers are GOP priorities, but the fate of those issues is uncertain.

By LETITIA STEIN
Published April 27, 2006

TALLAHASSEE - Soft-spoken Republican Sen. Dennis Jones of Treasure Island isn't known for flashy politics. But this year, he's defecting from his party on classroom matters.

He leaves GOP leaders scrambling to pass their education priorities. Every vote matters when it comes to the issues of class size and private school vouchers. Without Jones, the Republican education agenda hangs on a handful of moderates.

"Maybe I differ from some of the Republican platform," said Jones, the son of educators. "But I am a product of public education, and I support public education."

The Senate class-size debate begins today. The House is expected to pass a plan to loosen the class-size caps set in a 2002 constitutional amendment. Also, in the last eight days of the session, Republican leaders will be counting votes on the future of private school vouchers.

The politics boils down to hard numbers. In the Senate, it takes 24 votes to place a constitutional amendment before voters. If three Republicans defect, both education initiatives could fail on a party-line vote. The issues likely will get decided by moderate Republicans and perhaps Democratic swing votes.

"Right now, it's a crap shoot," said Sen. Mike Bennett, R-Bradenton, who last year voted against the class-size measure, but thinks he can support a different version this year. "You could roll an ace, or a deuce."

Among the uncertain votes is Senate Majority Leader Alex Villalobos, R-Miami, who finds himself in a difficult spot. He had expected to become the Senate's president in 2008, but a number of Republicans recently withdrew their support. Many of his supporters are considered GOP swing votes on class sizes and vouchers.

"I'm going to listen to the debate," said Villalobos, who last year voted against a class-size plan.

This year, GOP leaders are pitching a proposal to raise the caps to 23 students in prekindergarten through third grade, 27 in Grades 4 to 8 and 30 in Grades 9 to 12.

They've added a sweetener, the "65 percent solution," to sell it. Polls show that voters like the idea of directing 65 percent of operating dollars to classrooms.

But nothing's certain in the the Senate. The upper chamber still could strike out the 65 percent provision, or define the expenses included in it.

Republican leaders may be crossing fingers that a Democratic vote or two could secure the deal. Most Democrats don't want to tinker with class sizes and hate private school vouchers. But Tallahassee Democrat Sen. Al Lawson is considering the Republican plans.

"I'm probably the swing vote," said Lawson, who's being heavily lobbied on both sides.

Times staff writers Joni James and Deirdre Morrow contributed to this report. Letitia Stein can be reached at lstein@sptimes.com or 850 224-7263.

Nancy Argenziano, R-Dunnellon: Wants to hear the debate before committing on vouchers and class sizes. Voted against weakening the class-size amendment last year.

Paula Dockery, R-Lakeland: Wife of C.C. "Doc" Dockery, the businessman who spearheaded a 2000 ballot initiative for a high-speed bullet train, which voters later repealed. She doesn't like sending amendments back to voters, but says she's open to debate.

Evelyn Lynn, R-Ormond Beach: Doesn't like the "65 percent solution" attached to the class size question. Also not a fan of changing the Constitution, but will listen to debate.

Alex Villalobos, R-Miami: As Senate majority leader, he counts votes. But he's not saying where his will fall on vouchers or class sizes. Last year, he voted against weakening the class-size amendment.

Al Lawson, D-Tallahassee: This Democrat is being lobbied heavily by Democrats and Republicans on class sizes and vouchers. He's hearing from ministers on the private school vouchers, which benefit a large number of children from minority and low-income families.

Larcenia Bullard, D-Miami: Another Democrat, perhaps a swing vote on vouchers. She voted for a constitutional amendment to protect vouchers in one committee, then against it in another.

[Last modified April 27, 2006, 02:17:26]