Wrong economic fix for the middle class 

Florida voters have passed a statewide property tax cut referendum that AFT leaders and other unions are warning will have a dire impact on public services. "Florida's middle class is hurting, but this is the wrong fix," says AFT president Edward J. McElroy.

The amendment, passed in January, is projected to cut $9.3 billion in taxes over the first five years, including $204 million from Miami-Dade County schools and $144 million from Broward County schools. The AFT represents workers in both school districts.

Andy Ford, president of the Florida Education Association and an AFT vice president, says the amendment exposes the state to "significant revenue challenges," and he has urged Gov. Charlie Crist to work with the union "to find the necessary resources to properly fund our public schools."

"We need a president who understands that investment in crucial public services must be sustained, not drained," McElroy says. "This is why we support Hillary Clinton and why we will work to elect her the next president of the United States."