posted by khaughney on August, 29 2011 3:24 PM
TALLAHASSEE — Sen. Joe Negron, R-Stuart, has filed legislation that would make the education commissioner an elected official and a member of the Cabinet, essentially stripping future governors of any influence he or she may have over the commissioner.
The bill, SB 96, asks voters to amend the state Constitution in the 2012 election and make the education commissioner an elected official. The job previously was an elected office, but a constitutional amendment passed by voters in 1998 made it an appointed position, along with the Secretary of State, and merged the treasurer’s and comptroller’s offices into the Office of the Chief Financial Officer.
In the case of the education commissioner, proponents of the change said that it would ensure that an educator ran the state Department of Education, not a politician. Former Gov. Charlie Crist was the last elected official to run the department.
If the amendment is approved by the Legislature and voters, a race for education commissioner would be held in 2014.
