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Unions Challenge School Voucher Expansion

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (CBSMiami.com) – The Florida Education Association has filed a lawsuit against the state over a proposed 2012 state constitutional amendment that would repeal the state's ban on giving taxpayer money to aid churches and other religious organizations.

The potential legal fight could stop the expansion of private school vouchers, which is opposed by union's including the Broward Teacher's Union.

"The real goal of Amendment 7 is to give the state legislature the power to promote taxpayer-financed school vouchers that would require Florida's tax payers to subsidize private schools," BTU President Pat Santeramo said.

The amendment is also opposed by the president of the Florida School Boards Association and clergy from several denominations.

Also included in the lawsuit is a separate challenge to legislation that will allow the state attorney general to rewrite a ballot title or summary if the state Supreme Court removes legislation from the ballot.

A separate lawsuit was filed by unions over a new law that requires teachers and other public employees to contribute 3 percent of their pay to the Florida Retirement System.

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