UPDATE: HB 999 has now moved into the Senate and the companion bill is SB 266, which threatens to ban funding for DEI curriculum and places hiring decisions in the hands of corrupt politicians. ALL Florida public universities will no longer offer courses or majors related to women & gender studies or critical race theory.

Additionally, politicians will maintain the power to drive out ANY administrators or professors who disagree with their political agendas. Our students deserve to graduate with a valuable degree, and this bill costs schools their accredidation by manipulating curriculum and admin to serve political agendas rather than our students.

TO CONTACT YOUR SENATOR, CLICK HERE.

On Wednesday, February 22nd, Florida State Representative Andrade filed HB 999, a bill that represents an extreme attack upon every aspect of Florida’s higher education system, including academic freedom, tenure, freedom of speech, and more. You can follow the bill here and the read the bill in its entirety here.

One action all members can take right now is to sign onto this statement.

Further solidarity statements from around the country are being collected and tracked on the UFF website.

Because of the threat of bills like HB 999, we must ensure that our union is as strong as possible, so we can protect our members and our values. We must grow our power, locally and across the state, as we rise to confront authoritarianism in all its forms.

On one day, local chapters around the state will host events to raise awareness about our issues, to build membership density, and to gather commitments from local members for our struggle. During this event, we ask all statewide and national allies of Florida’s public education system, pre-K through graduate school, to undertake “The 3-7 Challenge” by making three phone calls and sending seven emails to members of Florida’s political leadership, all on March 7th. Our goal is to drive thousands of points of contact to Florida’s elected officials in one day asking them to protect our state’s beloved K-12 schools, colleges, and universities.

The task we face will not be easy, but together, we can overcome anything thrown our way by those who would see our democracy turned into an authoritarian dystopia. We will resist; we will overcome; and we will come out stronger on the other side.

For more information on how you can help, contact Dr. Patty Ball Thomas, Chairman DWCF Education Committee, pballthomas@netscape.net.