Soto Leads Letter Asking US Secretary of Education to Investigate Proposal to Defund Certain Florida School Districts That Instituted Mask Policies

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Darren Soto (FL-09) led a letter with members of the Florida Democratic Delegation asking U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona to consider investigating a recent proposal to defund 12 Florida school districts that instituted mask policies at the beginning of the 2021-2022 school year by withholding $200 million in funding.

"Florida is the third largest state, but unfortunately ranks 46th in per-pupil support. These additional reductions in funding exacerbate an already strained system," wrote the members. "Under this proposal, Orange County Public School District's funding would be reduced by $16.5 million, and combined Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach County school districts would not receive $128 million in funding. This proposal is another attempt to punish these school districts that implemented universal masking policies during an ongoing global pandemic."

The letter was signed by all 11 members of the Florida Democratic Delegation, including Reps. Darren Soto (FL-09), Kathy Castor (FL-14), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20), Charlie Crist (FL-13), Val Demings (FL-10), Ted Deutch (FL-22), Lois Frankel (FL-21), Al Lawson, Jr. (FL-05), Stephanie Murphy (FL-07), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23), and Frederica Wilson (FL-24).

For the full text of the letter, please clickhere.

###