Ask Governor to veto theocratic anti-public school bill

Please call on Governor Rick Scott to halt the advancement of religion into Florida public schools!

The Florida Senate disappointingly included the text of a theocratic bill into HB 7055, a large education bill that contains many other concerning provisions. If Governor Scott signs this bill into law, every school board in the state will be required to place the phrase “In God We Trust” in all public schools. Even though the phrase is, disgracefully, both the national motto and the Florida state motto, there is no question of this measure’s religious intent. The sponsor of the original In God We Trust bill, state Rep. Kimberly Daniels, is a preacher with a history of using her public office to promote her personal religion. 

We’ve asked you to oppose Daniels’ bill at every turn, and Governor Scott is the last person who can protect public school students’ rights of conscience.

Besides the “In God We Trust” provision, this education bill advances religion by introducing two new voucher programs aimed at defunding public schools for the benefit of private religious schools.

Please contact Governor Scott TODAY asking him to veto HB 7055 in order to keep public schools secular and well-funded. Learn more about the bill here.

Enter your information to take action now!

loading
*You'll receive a call from 352-505-7390 that will provide you guidance on what to say to your officials, and then patch you through directly to them.

Please encourage others to act by sharing on social media and it letters to the editor.

I am calling as constituent of Governor Scott to urge him to veto HB 7055. The bill unconstitutionally advances religion at the expense of public schools by creating voucher systems that will give taxpayer dollars promised to public schools to private religious schools and by requiring public schools to pay for and display the phrase “In God We Trust.”

Even though “In God We Trust” was adopted as our national motto in the 1950s, it carries a clear religious message that has no place in our secular public schools.

The intent of this bill is to promote belief in a religious deity, not to encourage patriotism.

This clear religious goal is anathema to the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and marginalizes the 21 percent of young Americans who are either atheist or agnostic. These students do not trust in any gods and no message to do otherwise should be expressed to them by their government.

Additionally, HB 7055’s voucher schemes would financially eviscerate public schools across the state and would unconstitutionally divert public funds for religious education. I support Florida’s public schools and oppose sending taxpayer money to private religious schools. Similar voucher-like programs in other states have done little more than hurt public schools and promote religion.

I'm asking the governor to demonstrate his willingness to protect public schools by vetoing HB 7055.