Saying it’s only polite — but not political — state and local teachers unions are urging members to send their thanks to Gov. Charlie Crist for vetoing the controversial teacher pay and tenure bill.
“Join the tens of thousands of Floridians who are sending a Thank You to Governor Crist for the SB6 Veto,” says a message on the Florida Education Association website. “Pledge Your Support.”
Unions have stopped short of endorsing Crist in his bid for the U.S. Senate. For now, he is trailing fellow Republican Marco Rubio in the primary, but has confirmed that he is mulling an independent run.
That would be good news for Wendi Werther, a longtime teacher and lifelong Democrat who told Crist she would switch her party affiliation to vote for him in a Republican primary if he vetoed the bill.
“We’re all standing behind it gritting our teeth praying that he becomes an independent,” said Werther, who teaches science at Miami Palmetto Senior High. “I would be happier if he were an independent. This way I don’t have to change parties. But he has my vote no matter what. Continue reading here.