Public Policy March 2017

by Carolyn Smith

CALLS TO ACTION

1. Call Sect. Of Education Betsy DeVos (1-800-USA-LEARN /1-800-872-5327, or answers.ed.gov / questions.
   1. to protect all provisions in Title IX.
   2. to maintain the website giving information about IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Act), which was taken down soon after her confirmation.
2. Call your FL House and Senate Representatives to support FL Senate 410 and House 319 (jointly called the Helen Gordon Davis Fair Pay Act).

Senate 410 is currently before four committees regarded as relevant to the issue of employment discrimination: Government Oversight and Accountability; Rules; Commerce and Tourism; and Judiciary. Duval’s District 6 Audrey Gibson is on the latter two. Please call her for support: 359-2553

3. Join the Equal Pay Day Rally, FL senate, Tallahassee, March 14, 2017, and /or AAUS-FL Lobby Days, March 13-15, 2017.

            For information, registration, rides, etc., contact Pat DeWitt, AAUW-FL State Public Policy.

4. Call your FL House and Senate Representatives to support SB 286 and HB 665 (Education on Human Trafficking).

            This bill would provide resources training children K-12, police officers, and business people on how to spot and report human traffickers. The human trafficking ordinances have helped victims, but SB 286 /HB 665 would help prevent the young from becoming victims.

INFORMATION

1. US Sen Elizabeth was required by Senate vote to stop reading Coretta Scott King’s view of then-nominee for US Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Nelson voted against the silencing; Rubio voted for it.
2. On confirmations: Jeff Sessions, Attorney General: Nelson, No; Rubio, Yes.  Tom Price, Sect. of Health and Human Services: Nelson, No; Rubio, Yes.
3. US Rep. Rutherford voted Yes on two education bills reducing ed. Improvement: a) rejection of requirement that states identify and get support for low performing schools, including charters; b) rejection of requirement that states evaluate and report on how well teacher preparation programs help with job placement and retention.
4. AAUW has forwarded a research project indicating that while the average salary for public school teachers is $45,000, some states offer salaries below that average, including Florida (Mississippi is the worst).