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Report: State funding needed to train skilled workers

Opinions are split on the utility of education spending.

By DAVID DECAMP, Times Staff Writer
Published February 29, 2008

TALLAHASSEE - Instead of paring spending this year, Florida lawmakers need to pony up more cash for schools to churn out higher-skilled employees, an economist and a teachers union warned in a report released Thursday.

Florida ranks in the bottom half of the country in producing advanced college degree holders, and even worse for high school graduates and overall funding. But spending cuts won't help the state reach Gov. Charlie Crist's goal for a high-tech "innovation economy," said economist Tony Villamil, an adviser to former Gov. Jeb Bush.

"Even though we talk a lot about property taxes, we talk about insurance and so forth, that's not what the companies are saying," said Villamil, whose work was underwritten by United Teachers of Dade, Miami-Dade County's union. "The companies are saying: 'We can't find skilled labor, we cannot find talent in Florida.' "

Money is tight, though. Florida lawmakers have proposed cutting $357-million from public education this year, after making reductions last year. Crist opposes this year's cut, but there's a $2-billion shortfall for the 2009 budget.

"Some people feel like more money equals better education, but I think the business community feels that is not always true," said lobbyist Gabe Sheheane of the Florida Chamber of Commerce.

The chamber is lobbying for more work force training programs, but hasn't taken a stance on the cuts. Sheheane said the state needs to examine teaching methods, too.

The union and Villamil said teachers and business leaders need to avoid partisanship and work together to improve education and development policies - and win more spending on salaries, classrooms and equipment.

Villamil said loosening class-size limits could free money, although Dade union president Karen Aronowitz disagreed. Villamil also said removing sales tax exemptions, and privatizing toll roads and the lottery could provide more money. But they are difficult changes, Villamil acknowledged, that could take years to realize.

[Last modified February 28, 2008, 23:13:43]