TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) _ A group of Florida business leaders is opposing the idea of going back to electing the state's education commissioner.
The Florida Council of 100 declared its opposition Friday.
The private group advises governors and other top legislative leaders. It supported a state constitutional amendment requiring an appointed commissioner that voters adopted in 1998.
Sen. Joe Negron, a Stuart Republican, and Rep. Ben Albritton, a Wauchula Republican, are sponsoring proposed amendments (SJR 96, HJR 305) that would again make the office elective.
Council of 100 chairman Steve Halverson says appointing the commissioner has allowed experts to do what they do best, and that's resulted in improved student performance.
Gov. Rick Scott also says he's against an elected commissioner.
The governor-appointed State Board of Education now hires the commissioner.
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