Win one, lose one, win another one

FEBRUARY 13, 2008

Voucher supporters who have been courting black Democrats for years picked up a key vote two weeks ago in the form of Rep. Frank Peterman, D-St. Petersburg, (see Gradebook post here), only to lose it days later when Gov. Crist made Peterman the new head of the Department of Juvenile Justice. But if they were upset, it wasn't for long.

In recent days, another black Democrat, Rep. Charles S. “Chuck” Chestnut IV (left), has signed on as a co-sponsor of HB 653, the same voucher bill Peterman was supporting. At this point, you have to wonder: How many other black Democrats are waiting to buck their party?

- Ron Matus, state education reporter

Posted by Times Editor at 11:30:00 am on February 13, 2008 in

School Choice

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About the blog

Gradebook features education articles and insights on schools in Florida, focusing on Tampa Bay area schools. What's the latest from the Florida Department of Education? How is the FCAT being used to compare Florida schools? What's going in on in Tampa Bay schools? Get an insider's view from the Times education reporting team.

Meet the team

THE TEAM

Rebecca Catalanello covers Pinellas County schools. E-mail her: rcatalanello@tampabay.com.

Tony Marrero covers Hernando County schools. E-mail him: tmarrero@tampabay.com.

Marlene Sokol covers Hillsborough County schools. E-mail her: sokol@tampabay.com.

Ron Matus covers Pinellas County schools. E-mail him: matus@tampabay.com.

Jeffrey S. Solochek covers Pasco County schools. E-mail him: solochek@tampabay.com.

Kim Wilmath covers the University of South Florida. E-mail her: kwilmath@tampabay.com.

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