podcastED: SUFS president Doug Tuthill interviews state Sen. Manny Diaz Jr. on the future of education choice in Florida

On this episode, Tuthill talks with the long-time education choice supporter from Hialeah who carried the Senate companion to HB 7045 during the 2021 legislative session, signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis May 11.

Tuthill and Diaz discuss how the landmark bill, heralded by many as the largest expansion of choice in Florida’s history, will begin to normalize choice in the private and public school arena. Both believe education savings accounts are the logical next step for all choice programs in Florida that have the added benefit of empowering teachers to be their own entrepreneurs and business owners, an often overlooked virtue of education choice. They also discuss ongoing efforts to make education choice support bipartisan in the Florida Legislature.

“The ultimate goal is to get everyone to understand this is not a partisan issue. This is a civil rights issue. This is an issue for families. This is a pro-parent issue. This is an issue of opportunity for those who need it most … The one word is persistence.”

EPISODE DETAILS:

·       Passage of HB 7045 and its impact on public education in Florida

·       Where education choice is headed after the bill’s passage

·       Education savings accounts and how they empower and expand opportunities for teachers

·       Diaz’s persistence in seeking bipartisan support for education choice expansion