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Florida's Teacher Union Appeals Ruling In Voucher Lawsuit

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (CBSMiami/AP) — Florida's teacher union is appealing  a ruling  in a lawsuit that challenges the state's private school voucher program.

The Florida Education Association and a coalition of other groups and people announced Monday they would appeal the May ruling by Circuit Judge George Reynolds.

Reynolds ruled the groups filing the lawsuit did not have a legal right or "standing" to challenge the program. The program was created with the strong backing of former Gov. Jeb Bush.

The legal battle has been closely watched as supporters have mounted an advertising and public relations campaign that called for the lawsuit to be dropped because of its potential impacts to families using the vouchers.

Nearly 70,000 children attend private schools through the tax credit scholarship program. The program currently serves low-income families but the program will expand to middle-income families starting in 2016.

(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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