The first-ever gubernatorial debate to focus solely on the future of Florida's children will be held next month at the University of Miami, and organizers expect Democrat Alex Sink and Republican Rick Scott to participate.

Working as partners with UM, the Children's Movement of Florida said Wednesday it will host the Oct. 16 debate, which will be broadcast statewide on television and on the Internet.

In a conference call with reporters, David Lawrence Jr., co-chairman of the Children's Movement of Florida and former Miami Herald publisher, said he has spoken extensively with Sink and Scott about children's issues.

Sink told Lawrence that she intends to participate, while Scott is still in talks with organizers.

"You would think this is the first debate [Scott] would want to do," said Lawrence. ''I can't believe he wouldn't accept."

Lawrence said the idea of a gubernatorial debate about children's issues is historic and long overdue in Florida.

"Florida consistently ranks at or near the bottom in measure after measure of how we invest in our children -- the time has come to change that," he said. More here.

Sergio Bustos

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