Reply #15: Great Florida opinion from the S.P. Times

[Judi Lynn]

(snip) That may taste delicious to Gov. Jeb Bush, a proponent of privatized education who has endured relentless attacks from teacher unions, but it has caused enough heartburn that public employee retirement funds in Los Angeles, New York City and Ohio have banned the practice. In Florida, House Democratic Leader Doug Wiles already has fired off a letter to Bush, noting that Edison is planning to nearly double Whittle's salary in part as reward for getting the state's money.

"This transaction will risk the hard-earned savings of Florida's public employees on a private company that has lost millions of dollars, is deeply in debt, has been subject to SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) scrutiny, and is being sued by its shareholders for misleading accounting and disclosure practices," Wiles wrote Thursday. ". . . Our public employees have dedicated their lives to public service and I'm certain that the majority would not approve of a significant investment in a business that seeks to eliminate their own jobs." (snip)

Thanks!