Former Gov. Graham slams Scott over education

From The Miami Herald here.

Former Florida Gov. Bob Graham has been mostly silent about the proposals of men who have succeeded him in the office he left in 1987.

But Friday he openly criticized Gov. Rick Scott’s plans to cut education funding, eliminate money for Florida Forever and dismantle the state agency that oversees growth management.

“This idea of selling Florida as the cheapest state — well that’s what we’ve got now,’’ Graham said in a lengthy telephone interview with the St. Petersburg Times. “To drive it (costs) down at the expense of young people’s education is wrong.’’

“Florida is a wonderful place to live. But it is a fragile place and we have to keep investing in the things that will retain that high quality of life.’’

Graham, 74, said he fears measures proposed by Scott and supported by the Republican-led Legislature will not only damage education and the quality of life for Floridians, but hurt efforts to attract new business.

“We have to add other elements like places that provide quality education for their children,’’ said Graham, one of Florida’s most prominent Democrats. “The difference between Chapel Hill (North Carolina) and Fort Pierce (Florida) is where would I like to go for quality of life and opportunity for my kids.’’

Scott has proposed cutting education funding, zeroing out Florida Forever and dismantling the Department of Community Affairs, along with layoffs, pension and health care payments for state employees. The Legislature appears to be following his lead in most respects.

“I’m discouraged at a lot of things that are happening,’’ he said. “It seems so short-sighted, the idea of cutting education by 10 percent seems unbelievable. To cut Florida Forever (the state’s land buying program) to zero and cut down spending on the Everglades — it all damages education and the environment.’’ . . .