DeSantis kills online learning program amid virus resurgence

[Zorro]

Source: Politico

With a stroke of his veto pen, Gov. Ron DeSantis wiped out the entire $29.4 million budget for a suite of online education services that have become critical to students and faculty during the Covid-19 outbreak.

The move, barring action before midnight Tuesday, will kill the Complete Florida Plus Program, an array of technology systems that faculty, staff and students throughout Florida rely on, never more so than now, in the midst of a pandemic that has amplified reliance on distance learning. The cuts include a database of online courses and an online library service that provides 17 million books to 1.3 million students, faculty and staff.


At least 2,000 adult learners could be cut off from their scholarships and school accreditation could even be at risk without the resources housed under Complete Florida, which are used by students at high schools, state colleges and universities. Some 150 employees in Tallahassee, Gainesville and Pensacola stand to lose their jobs.

DeSantis, whose office declined to comment on the cut, on Monday vetoed $1 billion from Florida’s 2020-21 budget as the state attempts to beat back a resurgence of the viral outbreak, which has sickened 152,434 people and killed 3,505 in one of the country's hottest Covid-19 zones.

Read more: https://www.politico.com/states/florida/story/2020/06/30/desantis-kills-online-learning-program-amid-virus-resurgence-1296178

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. They don't call him DeSatan for nothing.

[marmar]

2. Governor Florida Man.

[keithbvadu2]

3. More money available for religious schools.

[yonder]

4. There is probably not much of an education required

to pick oranges or wrassle alligators. DeSantis is protecting his ag/resource buddies and their future labor needs.

[Ohiogal]

5. Book larnin'

Is for sissies!

[George II]

6. Based on DeSantis' record, the headline could have been truncated to "DeSantis kills"....

Of course he doesn't want anyone to learn, they might vote him out.

HOW the hell did this guy ever win any election in the first place?

He's probably afraid people will learn how to properly put on a mask and make a fool out of him:

[Chainfire]

7. We have known for decades that Republicans hate education

unless a private company can make a buck off of it. The dumber the people are, the more likely that they will fall for Republican bullshit.

[turbinetree]

8. Hey Florida, what do you think of this guy now when he bring's his form of the death cult

mentality of libertarian to fruition..............he doesn't give one iota about people and safety..........none..............

[obamanut2012]

9. As per my friend, this also kills ALL academic libraries

at the universities and CCs. They will have no databases, no catalog, will not be able to search for books, process books, or check out material. This includes support for all those students in college attending online classes. Now. In the middle of the summer semester.

[Hotler]

10. Repugs are selfish. nt

[Initech]

11. DeSantis should be arrested.

[Cha]

12. Asshole.