1 00:00:00,760 --> 00:00:03,880 Speaker 1: Welcome to the Tutor Dixon Podcast. Today, we have a 2 00:00:03,920 --> 00:00:07,160 Speaker 1: returning guest, Erica Donald on the show. I'm very excited 3 00:00:07,200 --> 00:00:09,920 Speaker 1: because she is a returning guest, but she has a 4 00:00:09,920 --> 00:00:13,039 Speaker 1: new role in the world, and it's a very important one. 5 00:00:13,240 --> 00:00:16,400 Speaker 1: She is the chair of the America First Policy Institute 6 00:00:16,520 --> 00:00:20,279 Speaker 1: Center for Education Opportunity. Erica, I know you've founded a 7 00:00:20,320 --> 00:00:23,840 Speaker 1: bunch of charter schools and this has been your area 8 00:00:23,920 --> 00:00:27,080 Speaker 1: of interest for about fifteen years now, and I'm so 9 00:00:27,200 --> 00:00:29,840 Speaker 1: impressed that you get to do this and kind of 10 00:00:29,920 --> 00:00:32,720 Speaker 1: interface with the new administration. So tell us a little 11 00:00:32,720 --> 00:00:33,840 Speaker 1: bit about how that's going. 12 00:00:34,640 --> 00:00:37,240 Speaker 2: Yeah, I really am living in my school choice dream 13 00:00:37,280 --> 00:00:40,360 Speaker 2: world right now that I've been working on school choice 14 00:00:40,360 --> 00:00:43,199 Speaker 2: for fifteen years. I served on my local school board 15 00:00:43,240 --> 00:00:46,239 Speaker 2: about ten years ago, but dedicated my life to expanding 16 00:00:46,360 --> 00:00:48,680 Speaker 2: education opportunities for families like myself. 17 00:00:48,760 --> 00:00:49,960 Speaker 3: That's why I got into this. 18 00:00:50,040 --> 00:00:53,000 Speaker 2: I needed school choice for my own kids, and being 19 00:00:53,040 --> 00:00:56,400 Speaker 2: at America First Policy Institute heading up their education nationally. 20 00:00:56,480 --> 00:00:58,640 Speaker 2: Not only do I get to continue to work on 21 00:00:58,680 --> 00:01:00,960 Speaker 2: school choice in the States, which is where it belongs, 22 00:01:01,000 --> 00:01:03,440 Speaker 2: as we know, but I also get to interface with 23 00:01:03,520 --> 00:01:08,120 Speaker 2: the White House and Congress and Secretary of McMahon and 24 00:01:08,160 --> 00:01:10,840 Speaker 2: her team on the things that they're doing to respond 25 00:01:10,840 --> 00:01:14,320 Speaker 2: to the executive orders and to eventually dismantle the Department 26 00:01:14,319 --> 00:01:17,240 Speaker 2: of Education. So I'm really having a great time traveling 27 00:01:17,280 --> 00:01:19,520 Speaker 2: back and forth to DC and just making sure that 28 00:01:19,560 --> 00:01:21,960 Speaker 2: we use this time that we have with Trump and 29 00:01:22,040 --> 00:01:24,759 Speaker 2: office to deliver on his promises to the American people. 30 00:01:25,200 --> 00:01:27,880 Speaker 1: Well, and that last one that you mentioned, dismantling the 31 00:01:27,880 --> 00:01:31,120 Speaker 1: Department of ED, obviously that's getting quite a bit of attention, 32 00:01:31,520 --> 00:01:34,920 Speaker 1: and there's some people that I think it's misleading. I 33 00:01:34,920 --> 00:01:37,520 Speaker 1: think the media has been very misleading about what the 34 00:01:37,560 --> 00:01:40,640 Speaker 1: Department of ED does the federal Department of ED. So 35 00:01:40,720 --> 00:01:43,240 Speaker 1: you have your state Department of Ed and then you 36 00:01:43,280 --> 00:01:45,800 Speaker 1: have the Federal Department of Ed. There is a certain 37 00:01:45,800 --> 00:01:48,200 Speaker 1: amount of funding, But can we just kind of go 38 00:01:48,360 --> 00:01:51,560 Speaker 1: through from your perspective what that looks like, because I 39 00:01:51,560 --> 00:01:54,880 Speaker 1: think people hear that and there's suddenly stories about kids 40 00:01:54,920 --> 00:01:57,280 Speaker 1: aren't going to get their lunches anymore, and there's going 41 00:01:57,320 --> 00:01:59,600 Speaker 1: to be money taken from teachers and all of that. 42 00:02:00,120 --> 00:02:02,520 Speaker 1: If we can just kind of dive into what that means. 43 00:02:03,880 --> 00:02:08,120 Speaker 2: Absolutely, the Federal Department of Education doesn't educate a single child. 44 00:02:08,560 --> 00:02:11,120 Speaker 2: It actually only makes up about ten percent of the 45 00:02:11,280 --> 00:02:15,120 Speaker 2: education funding that makes it down to each individual classroom 46 00:02:15,160 --> 00:02:18,120 Speaker 2: in our public education system. A lot of that is 47 00:02:18,160 --> 00:02:22,160 Speaker 2: focused on low income and special needs students. But President 48 00:02:22,160 --> 00:02:24,680 Speaker 2: Trump and Secretary McMahon had made it very clear that 49 00:02:24,680 --> 00:02:25,760 Speaker 2: that funding. 50 00:02:25,440 --> 00:02:26,679 Speaker 3: Is going to continue. 51 00:02:26,840 --> 00:02:29,360 Speaker 2: So then what does it mean to dismantle the Department 52 00:02:29,360 --> 00:02:31,560 Speaker 2: of Education if the funding is going to continue to flow. 53 00:02:31,680 --> 00:02:34,040 Speaker 3: Well, some of that funding was being. 54 00:02:33,800 --> 00:02:36,359 Speaker 2: Passed down to the states to handle these responsibilities through 55 00:02:36,520 --> 00:02:38,880 Speaker 2: HHS before the Department of Education. 56 00:02:38,680 --> 00:02:41,240 Speaker 3: Even existed forty five years ago. 57 00:02:40,800 --> 00:02:42,800 Speaker 2: So we're going back to the way it was. Doesn't 58 00:02:42,840 --> 00:02:45,160 Speaker 2: need to be a separate department. That money can still 59 00:02:45,160 --> 00:02:46,000 Speaker 2: flow to the states. 60 00:02:46,000 --> 00:02:47,280 Speaker 3: But what is going away. 61 00:02:47,600 --> 00:02:51,240 Speaker 2: It's the multiple layers of bureaucracy that is required to 62 00:02:51,360 --> 00:02:54,440 Speaker 2: report back on the services that are being given to 63 00:02:54,600 --> 00:02:57,240 Speaker 2: the students. We've heard from teachers that they spend more 64 00:02:57,280 --> 00:03:01,480 Speaker 2: time filling out paperwork than actually performing services for students 65 00:03:01,520 --> 00:03:04,640 Speaker 2: with special needs. We want to take that away, eliminate 66 00:03:04,680 --> 00:03:08,400 Speaker 2: the bureaucracy, allow states and local districts to ensure that 67 00:03:08,440 --> 00:03:11,560 Speaker 2: these services are going to continue, but give them more 68 00:03:11,600 --> 00:03:14,840 Speaker 2: money and more flexibility in order to serve the students 69 00:03:14,840 --> 00:03:15,880 Speaker 2: that they know best. 70 00:03:16,120 --> 00:03:19,280 Speaker 1: So were they having to fill out those that information 71 00:03:19,440 --> 00:03:22,560 Speaker 1: to get that back to get grants and that kind 72 00:03:22,600 --> 00:03:25,799 Speaker 1: of thing. I mean, because it just seems like that's 73 00:03:25,800 --> 00:03:28,200 Speaker 1: something that should have always been on the local level. 74 00:03:28,280 --> 00:03:30,160 Speaker 1: Even if you get a grant, there should be someone 75 00:03:30,280 --> 00:03:32,720 Speaker 1: kind of interfacing on the ground to make sure that 76 00:03:32,720 --> 00:03:35,480 Speaker 1: that is actually what it went to is actually happening. 77 00:03:36,360 --> 00:03:39,360 Speaker 2: And that's why the federal department existed. Frankly, they were 78 00:03:39,400 --> 00:03:42,520 Speaker 2: passing out money and someone at the state level had 79 00:03:42,560 --> 00:03:45,160 Speaker 2: to receive that money and document how they passed it 80 00:03:45,200 --> 00:03:47,480 Speaker 2: down to the local level. Someone at the local district 81 00:03:47,480 --> 00:03:50,480 Speaker 2: had to be there as an employee getting paid to 82 00:03:50,800 --> 00:03:53,240 Speaker 2: document how it goes down to the classroom. The teacher 83 00:03:53,280 --> 00:03:55,600 Speaker 2: has to report back what services that has to report 84 00:03:55,640 --> 00:03:58,080 Speaker 2: back from the district and state. Think about the multiple 85 00:03:58,240 --> 00:04:01,560 Speaker 2: layers of bureaucrafts that are acquired just for money to 86 00:04:01,600 --> 00:04:04,880 Speaker 2: go from the federal government down to the classrooms. What's 87 00:04:04,960 --> 00:04:08,840 Speaker 2: astonishing is that the teachers' unions, who control most of 88 00:04:08,880 --> 00:04:12,320 Speaker 2: these individuals between the federal government and the classrooms, are 89 00:04:12,360 --> 00:04:14,680 Speaker 2: the ones saying that they're no longer going to provide 90 00:04:14,720 --> 00:04:17,080 Speaker 2: these services, even though they're going to be getting the money. 91 00:04:16,880 --> 00:04:18,520 Speaker 3: To do so. 92 00:04:18,520 --> 00:04:21,000 Speaker 1: So I think that's been kind of the confusion when 93 00:04:21,000 --> 00:04:24,839 Speaker 1: you've heard people talk about this, is that they feel 94 00:04:24,880 --> 00:04:27,719 Speaker 1: like this has been there forever. You know, for most 95 00:04:27,720 --> 00:04:29,840 Speaker 1: of us, we've always known that there was a federal 96 00:04:29,880 --> 00:04:32,320 Speaker 1: Department of ED from the time we were little kids 97 00:04:32,520 --> 00:04:35,599 Speaker 1: to now, this has been there, and it seems like, gosh, 98 00:04:35,600 --> 00:04:37,320 Speaker 1: this is a massive amount of people. How many people 99 00:04:37,400 --> 00:04:38,960 Speaker 1: work at the Department of Ed four thousand? 100 00:04:39,560 --> 00:04:42,720 Speaker 2: Well before two weeks ago it was about forty four hundred. 101 00:04:42,880 --> 00:04:45,880 Speaker 2: But as you probably know, just a week after Lenna 102 00:04:45,920 --> 00:04:49,040 Speaker 2: McMahon was confirmed, they did a reduction in force which 103 00:04:49,080 --> 00:04:52,360 Speaker 2: cut that number in half. And this was excess waste 104 00:04:52,400 --> 00:04:54,880 Speaker 2: and bloat. Frankly, one of the examples that they gave 105 00:04:54,960 --> 00:04:59,120 Speaker 2: us was that there were six different strategic communications departments 106 00:04:59,440 --> 00:05:02,760 Speaker 2: in the departm of Education. Obviously, that's not helping students 107 00:05:02,800 --> 00:05:07,200 Speaker 2: get educated. That's messaging to whomever, right, And the average 108 00:05:07,240 --> 00:05:10,560 Speaker 2: salary at the department was one hundred and forty thousand dollars. 109 00:05:10,880 --> 00:05:13,480 Speaker 2: So now, after the reduction in force, and after some 110 00:05:13,560 --> 00:05:16,800 Speaker 2: of the employees a few hundred took the buyouts that 111 00:05:16,880 --> 00:05:20,719 Speaker 2: were offered we're down to about thirteen hundred employees in 112 00:05:20,800 --> 00:05:21,320 Speaker 2: the department. 113 00:05:21,440 --> 00:05:21,920 Speaker 3: Remaining. 114 00:05:22,240 --> 00:05:25,760 Speaker 2: Some of those maybe shifted off to other departments that 115 00:05:25,800 --> 00:05:28,480 Speaker 2: are taking on some of the responsibilities Office of Civil Rights, 116 00:05:28,520 --> 00:05:32,240 Speaker 2: we're talking about going to Treasure, to Justice, the student 117 00:05:32,279 --> 00:05:35,359 Speaker 2: loan portfolio, maybe going to SBA, as the President announced 118 00:05:35,440 --> 00:05:38,120 Speaker 2: last week. So some of those employees will continue to 119 00:05:38,200 --> 00:05:41,160 Speaker 2: do those functions in a different department. But d OI 120 00:05:41,320 --> 00:05:45,120 Speaker 2: was already the smallest department in the federal government, so 121 00:05:45,240 --> 00:05:48,040 Speaker 2: it does not need to remain a department unto itself, 122 00:05:48,160 --> 00:05:50,480 Speaker 2: just so that some of the functions can continue. 123 00:05:50,640 --> 00:05:53,440 Speaker 1: I mean, it's interesting because I've heard so many people say, 124 00:05:53,600 --> 00:05:55,960 Speaker 1: how can you support getting rid of these people and 125 00:05:56,040 --> 00:05:59,560 Speaker 1: just cutting them? And in these conversations, you know, I 126 00:05:59,560 --> 00:06:01,000 Speaker 1: think a lot of us who are in the private 127 00:06:01,000 --> 00:06:05,080 Speaker 1: sector have said, you know, it's unfortunate, but when you 128 00:06:05,120 --> 00:06:07,680 Speaker 1: restructure a business, people lose their jobs and they have 129 00:06:07,760 --> 00:06:10,599 Speaker 1: to find other jobs. And though I don't ever wish 130 00:06:10,600 --> 00:06:13,840 Speaker 1: that upon someone, there are other jobs out there. However, 131 00:06:14,560 --> 00:06:17,200 Speaker 1: you saying that the average salary was one hundred and 132 00:06:17,240 --> 00:06:19,640 Speaker 1: forty thousand kind of blows my mind a little bit. 133 00:06:19,680 --> 00:06:21,799 Speaker 1: I think that's more than the governor of Michigan makes 134 00:06:21,800 --> 00:06:24,400 Speaker 1: in a year, you know, so I'm a little bit 135 00:06:24,760 --> 00:06:27,840 Speaker 1: stunned by that. And I can see now why there 136 00:06:27,880 --> 00:06:30,200 Speaker 1: is so much concern because your lifestyle is going to 137 00:06:30,279 --> 00:06:34,320 Speaker 1: really change. I mean, that's there aren't that many jobs 138 00:06:34,360 --> 00:06:38,760 Speaker 1: out there that you come into from a government position 139 00:06:38,839 --> 00:06:40,640 Speaker 1: and you would go into at forty one hundred and 140 00:06:40,680 --> 00:06:41,880 Speaker 1: forty thousand dollars a year. 141 00:06:42,960 --> 00:06:45,040 Speaker 2: It's unfortunate, you know. You and I have the same 142 00:06:45,040 --> 00:06:48,440 Speaker 2: compassion for these individuals. Many of them are there because 143 00:06:48,440 --> 00:06:51,320 Speaker 2: they love education. Maybe they have come from a teaching 144 00:06:51,320 --> 00:06:54,120 Speaker 2: position and worked their way up. And it's not about that. 145 00:06:54,240 --> 00:06:57,400 Speaker 2: Our nation is in crisis in more ways than one. 146 00:06:57,520 --> 00:06:59,400 Speaker 2: Like we're in a debt crisis. We've got to get 147 00:06:59,400 --> 00:07:01,880 Speaker 2: our spending on control at the federal level. Our children 148 00:07:01,920 --> 00:07:06,560 Speaker 2: are inheriting this massive debt and bureaucracy. So that's one thing, 149 00:07:06,600 --> 00:07:10,000 Speaker 2: But our nation is also in an academic performance crisis 150 00:07:10,200 --> 00:07:13,040 Speaker 2: where we're turning out only one in three students that 151 00:07:13,080 --> 00:07:14,320 Speaker 2: are reading proficiently. 152 00:07:14,720 --> 00:07:16,080 Speaker 3: How are these people. 153 00:07:15,800 --> 00:07:18,920 Speaker 2: Going to run our businesses, run our cities and our 154 00:07:18,960 --> 00:07:22,160 Speaker 2: counties and our states and carry forward the responsibilities of 155 00:07:22,200 --> 00:07:25,360 Speaker 2: a republic. So we have to fix this problem. We 156 00:07:25,400 --> 00:07:28,679 Speaker 2: cannot continue at the status quo, and I fully support 157 00:07:28,760 --> 00:07:31,960 Speaker 2: all of the actions that Trump has taken and immediate actions, 158 00:07:31,960 --> 00:07:35,480 Speaker 2: thank goodness, to get this really bureaucracy under control and 159 00:07:35,600 --> 00:07:38,920 Speaker 2: push the accountability as well down to the states to 160 00:07:39,040 --> 00:07:40,720 Speaker 2: just do better with their performance. 161 00:07:41,200 --> 00:07:43,000 Speaker 1: Well, and how do you? I mean, I guess there's 162 00:07:43,280 --> 00:07:45,880 Speaker 1: some of that is a concern of how do you 163 00:07:46,280 --> 00:07:49,120 Speaker 1: keep the states accountable if you have no federal Department 164 00:07:49,160 --> 00:07:51,160 Speaker 1: of ED and we're coming off of COVID. I think 165 00:07:51,400 --> 00:07:55,240 Speaker 1: Secretary McMahon is walking in at a time when everybody 166 00:07:55,240 --> 00:07:58,480 Speaker 1: has been very lax a day's ago about holding anyone accountable. 167 00:07:58,600 --> 00:08:00,160 Speaker 1: I mean, in the state of Michigan, we're now the 168 00:08:00,200 --> 00:08:03,440 Speaker 1: forty first state in the nation for education. It's really 169 00:08:03,520 --> 00:08:05,840 Speaker 1: gone down. Hell, I mean this has gone down I 170 00:08:05,840 --> 00:08:08,560 Speaker 1: think ten points since Gretchen Whitmer took office. And there 171 00:08:08,600 --> 00:08:10,240 Speaker 1: doesn't seem to be a lot of push. It's kind 172 00:08:10,240 --> 00:08:13,280 Speaker 1: of one of those uncomfortable conversations, to be honest with you, 173 00:08:13,280 --> 00:08:15,360 Speaker 1: because if you sit down and you say, man, the 174 00:08:15,440 --> 00:08:19,360 Speaker 1: schools in the state are terrible. Parents are like, what 175 00:08:19,440 --> 00:08:21,000 Speaker 1: do you know, what do you want us to do? 176 00:08:21,080 --> 00:08:23,640 Speaker 1: This is our schools? So you're insulting me, You're saying 177 00:08:23,640 --> 00:08:26,680 Speaker 1: something that is very offensive to me. And I think 178 00:08:26,720 --> 00:08:31,280 Speaker 1: even with the options, even with the school choice options, 179 00:08:31,600 --> 00:08:33,640 Speaker 1: a lot of people end up in public schools, so 180 00:08:34,800 --> 00:08:37,400 Speaker 1: and we should want our public schools to thrive. So 181 00:08:38,080 --> 00:08:40,520 Speaker 1: what is the answer to getting those schools back on 182 00:08:40,559 --> 00:08:41,720 Speaker 1: tracks so kids are reading. 183 00:08:42,920 --> 00:08:44,480 Speaker 2: I think a lot of it does have to do 184 00:08:44,559 --> 00:08:47,240 Speaker 2: with transparency, and that is one aspect of the federal 185 00:08:47,280 --> 00:08:50,400 Speaker 2: Department that will continue, perhaps in a different area like 186 00:08:50,440 --> 00:08:54,160 Speaker 2: the census, to expose how our schools are performing in 187 00:08:54,200 --> 00:08:56,440 Speaker 2: the different states, and even maybe in a more granular 188 00:08:56,480 --> 00:09:00,000 Speaker 2: way so parents and voters can hold their elected officials accountable. 189 00:09:00,440 --> 00:09:03,480 Speaker 2: But ultimately it is the responsibility of the states and 190 00:09:03,520 --> 00:09:06,480 Speaker 2: then the voters of those states to hold elected officials 191 00:09:06,480 --> 00:09:09,199 Speaker 2: accountable if their students are not performing. 192 00:09:09,559 --> 00:09:12,800 Speaker 3: And right now you have a bit of finger pointing. 193 00:09:13,120 --> 00:09:15,960 Speaker 2: Because there are so many federal mandates, it's easy for 194 00:09:16,000 --> 00:09:18,200 Speaker 2: a state to say, well, you know, the federal government 195 00:09:18,280 --> 00:09:20,080 Speaker 2: is involved and we've got to do this, this and that. 196 00:09:20,440 --> 00:09:23,600 Speaker 2: We don't want to have them allow that excuse any longer. 197 00:09:23,920 --> 00:09:29,360 Speaker 2: So with the states completely responsible for education, that's where 198 00:09:29,440 --> 00:09:32,640 Speaker 2: the voters can look at the performance and say, listen, 199 00:09:32,920 --> 00:09:36,079 Speaker 2: Governor Whitmer, you are doing a terrible job and these 200 00:09:36,080 --> 00:09:38,160 Speaker 2: students are not performing under your watch, and hold that 201 00:09:38,200 --> 00:09:40,960 Speaker 2: person accountable. And yeah, the Blue States are going to 202 00:09:41,000 --> 00:09:43,240 Speaker 2: have to come to a reckoning with their voters, just 203 00:09:43,280 --> 00:09:46,600 Speaker 2: like they have on many other issues. But unfortunately the 204 00:09:46,640 --> 00:09:49,360 Speaker 2: Red States are going to, I believe, with school choice, 205 00:09:49,360 --> 00:09:53,040 Speaker 2: competition and free market continue to outperform, and maybe that's 206 00:09:53,080 --> 00:09:55,040 Speaker 2: a source of competition amongst the states. 207 00:09:55,120 --> 00:09:57,320 Speaker 1: All right, we're going to get back into all of 208 00:09:57,360 --> 00:09:59,559 Speaker 1: the details with Erica Donald's but first I want to 209 00:09:59,559 --> 00:10:02,760 Speaker 1: tell you a about my partners at IFCJ. After more 210 00:10:02,800 --> 00:10:05,440 Speaker 1: than a year of war, terror and pain in Israel, 211 00:10:05,520 --> 00:10:08,880 Speaker 1: the need for security essentials and support for first responders 212 00:10:09,000 --> 00:10:12,560 Speaker 1: is still critical. Even in these times of ceasefire. Israel 213 00:10:12,679 --> 00:10:15,199 Speaker 1: must be prepared for the next attack, wherever it may 214 00:10:15,200 --> 00:10:18,720 Speaker 1: come from, because Israel surrounded on all sides by enemies. 215 00:10:19,040 --> 00:10:22,640 Speaker 1: And the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews has supported 216 00:10:22,720 --> 00:10:25,360 Speaker 1: and will continue to support the people of Israel with 217 00:10:25,520 --> 00:10:29,200 Speaker 1: life saving security essentials, and your gift today will help 218 00:10:29,280 --> 00:10:34,360 Speaker 1: save lives by providing bomb shelters, armored security vehicles, ambulances, 219 00:10:34,400 --> 00:10:39,120 Speaker 1: firefighting equipment, Black jackets, bulletproof vests, and so much more. 220 00:10:39,480 --> 00:10:42,160 Speaker 1: Your generous donation today will help ensure that the people 221 00:10:42,200 --> 00:10:44,960 Speaker 1: of Israel are safe and secure in the days to come. 222 00:10:45,040 --> 00:10:47,600 Speaker 1: So give a gift to bless Israel and her people 223 00:10:47,640 --> 00:10:52,520 Speaker 1: by visiting SUPPORTIFCJ dot org. That's one word, it's support 224 00:10:52,720 --> 00:10:56,280 Speaker 1: IFCJ dot org. Or you can call eight eight eight 225 00:10:56,720 --> 00:11:00,680 Speaker 1: four eight eight IFCJ that's eight eight eight for eight 226 00:11:00,720 --> 00:11:05,280 Speaker 1: eight IFCJ eight eight eight for eight eight four three 227 00:11:05,440 --> 00:11:07,800 Speaker 1: two five. Now stay tuned. We'll be right back with 228 00:11:07,960 --> 00:11:13,840 Speaker 1: Erica after this. For those of the folks that are 229 00:11:13,840 --> 00:11:16,240 Speaker 1: in a state that doesn't have school choice, I mean 230 00:11:16,280 --> 00:11:20,560 Speaker 1: in Michigan, we have choice within the public education system, 231 00:11:21,200 --> 00:11:25,439 Speaker 1: but it doesn't extend to private schools or faith based schools. 232 00:11:25,920 --> 00:11:30,520 Speaker 1: For a state like Florida, explain your school choice program 233 00:11:30,600 --> 00:11:33,839 Speaker 1: and how that's changed the state of education over the years. 234 00:11:34,440 --> 00:11:37,000 Speaker 2: We are so fortunate in Florida to be a school 235 00:11:37,080 --> 00:11:40,960 Speaker 2: choice state. We now have both public and private school choice. 236 00:11:41,000 --> 00:11:43,320 Speaker 2: About ten percent of our kids are in charter schools, 237 00:11:43,760 --> 00:11:48,000 Speaker 2: and those students are outperforming their demographic equivalent in the 238 00:11:48,080 --> 00:11:49,000 Speaker 2: public schools. 239 00:11:49,480 --> 00:11:50,880 Speaker 3: Not only that, but. 240 00:11:50,800 --> 00:11:53,640 Speaker 2: There's also studies around the country showing that when there 241 00:11:53,760 --> 00:11:57,360 Speaker 2: is choice, even if it's just charter schools public school choice, 242 00:11:57,600 --> 00:12:00,600 Speaker 2: it does elevate the performance of the related public schools 243 00:12:00,640 --> 00:12:03,560 Speaker 2: in those areas. In Florida, we also have private school 244 00:12:03,640 --> 00:12:07,000 Speaker 2: choice in the form of education Scholarship accounts. Now fourteen 245 00:12:07,040 --> 00:12:10,760 Speaker 2: states have universal essays, but in Florida we have over 246 00:12:10,800 --> 00:12:13,880 Speaker 2: five hundred thousand students that are on an ESA where 247 00:12:13,920 --> 00:12:16,920 Speaker 2: they're getting nine thousand dollars per student to use on 248 00:12:17,200 --> 00:12:20,320 Speaker 2: tuition at a private school. But they can also customize 249 00:12:20,520 --> 00:12:24,760 Speaker 2: taking different courses, purchasing curriculum and materials and things like that. 250 00:12:25,160 --> 00:12:28,439 Speaker 2: So it is a completely different ballgame here in Florida 251 00:12:28,480 --> 00:12:31,240 Speaker 2: where we're starting to see the supply and the innovation 252 00:12:31,720 --> 00:12:35,280 Speaker 2: come about, and there's more and more options for families 253 00:12:35,320 --> 00:12:37,520 Speaker 2: here in Florida. I think people are going to start 254 00:12:37,559 --> 00:12:40,920 Speaker 2: moving down to states like Florida, Arizona, soon to be Texas, 255 00:12:40,960 --> 00:12:43,880 Speaker 2: Tennessee because they're going to get that extra money to 256 00:12:43,920 --> 00:12:45,559 Speaker 2: help their children get a better education. 257 00:12:46,240 --> 00:12:49,760 Speaker 1: Is the ESA program there public publicly funded or is 258 00:12:49,800 --> 00:12:50,760 Speaker 1: that privately funded? 259 00:12:51,120 --> 00:12:52,320 Speaker 3: It is publicly funded. 260 00:12:52,320 --> 00:12:55,040 Speaker 2: It used to be a tax credit scholarship, and hopefully 261 00:12:55,120 --> 00:12:57,680 Speaker 2: we'll have a federal tax credit scholarship here passing soon, 262 00:12:58,280 --> 00:13:00,280 Speaker 2: but we did change it over to where it is 263 00:13:00,320 --> 00:13:02,840 Speaker 2: funded with the same dollars that would otherwise go to 264 00:13:02,920 --> 00:13:05,439 Speaker 2: your public school are now going into an account that 265 00:13:05,559 --> 00:13:06,600 Speaker 2: is controlled by the parents. 266 00:13:07,160 --> 00:13:10,400 Speaker 1: So the complaint with that is then you could potentially 267 00:13:10,440 --> 00:13:14,199 Speaker 1: be closing public schools. How has that in I mean, 268 00:13:14,280 --> 00:13:16,520 Speaker 1: the numbers that I've seen, it doesn't show that public 269 00:13:16,559 --> 00:13:19,400 Speaker 1: schools do close. But how what have you seen in Florida? 270 00:13:20,200 --> 00:13:23,520 Speaker 2: In public schools don't close regardless. I mean they could 271 00:13:23,559 --> 00:13:26,320 Speaker 2: be completely empty and they won't close. Even in Florida, 272 00:13:26,400 --> 00:13:28,520 Speaker 2: We've had a really hard time getting school boards to 273 00:13:28,520 --> 00:13:31,319 Speaker 2: come to the realization that you have to close these 274 00:13:31,320 --> 00:13:35,200 Speaker 2: schools or consolidate and give these kids another opportunity because 275 00:13:35,240 --> 00:13:38,240 Speaker 2: it is failing. Listen, I was on the school board. 276 00:13:38,520 --> 00:13:41,720 Speaker 2: I've been in these battles of this school is half empty. 277 00:13:41,800 --> 00:13:44,120 Speaker 2: What do we need to do to attract students? I 278 00:13:44,120 --> 00:13:47,160 Speaker 2: think it takes them hitting rock bottom. And I'm sorry, 279 00:13:47,200 --> 00:13:50,360 Speaker 2: but that's the way that the system works. When you fail, 280 00:13:50,600 --> 00:13:53,760 Speaker 2: you cannot be subsidized. You cannot be rewarded for failure. 281 00:13:53,800 --> 00:13:56,760 Speaker 2: With more money and more subsidization, we have to have 282 00:13:56,880 --> 00:14:01,080 Speaker 2: the same accountability for schools, public schools that we would 283 00:14:01,080 --> 00:14:03,200 Speaker 2: for private schools, that we would for charter schools and 284 00:14:03,320 --> 00:14:05,439 Speaker 2: any other business, or we're not going to see the 285 00:14:05,480 --> 00:14:09,400 Speaker 2: improvement that inevitably comes about when failure happens. Failure is 286 00:14:09,440 --> 00:14:12,000 Speaker 2: good in a free market society because it tells you 287 00:14:12,280 --> 00:14:15,839 Speaker 2: what doesn't work and forces you to redirect those resources 288 00:14:15,840 --> 00:14:17,000 Speaker 2: into something that will work. 289 00:14:17,080 --> 00:14:17,719 Speaker 3: That's what we need. 290 00:14:17,800 --> 00:14:21,280 Speaker 1: We need that, and polls show that people like this. 291 00:14:21,480 --> 00:14:24,640 Speaker 1: I mean, that's something that I think that We've had 292 00:14:24,680 --> 00:14:26,880 Speaker 1: a lot of pushback in the media, but the polling 293 00:14:27,080 --> 00:14:30,720 Speaker 1: of actual voters are saying, hey, we support candidates who 294 00:14:30,720 --> 00:14:32,800 Speaker 1: support school choice. 295 00:14:32,800 --> 00:14:38,040 Speaker 2: More than ever, over seventy percent overall support for school choice, 296 00:14:38,040 --> 00:14:42,120 Speaker 2: including sixty seven percent of Democrats and higher number for 297 00:14:42,200 --> 00:14:46,560 Speaker 2: Independence and much higher well over seventy percent for Republicans. 298 00:14:46,760 --> 00:14:49,480 Speaker 2: So this is becoming one of those eighty twenty issues 299 00:14:49,640 --> 00:14:52,240 Speaker 2: that the Democrats just refuse to fold on because they 300 00:14:52,240 --> 00:14:55,800 Speaker 2: are loyal to the teachers' unions who are funding their campaign. 301 00:14:56,160 --> 00:15:00,680 Speaker 2: Ninety eight percent of donations political donations from teach unions 302 00:15:00,960 --> 00:15:03,920 Speaker 2: go to Democrats. So even those sixty seven percent of 303 00:15:03,960 --> 00:15:08,960 Speaker 2: their voters support school choice zero percent, virtually zero percent 304 00:15:09,280 --> 00:15:13,400 Speaker 2: of Democrat legislators and elected officials are supportive of school choice. 305 00:15:14,480 --> 00:15:17,600 Speaker 1: Well, I mean, this is a guaranteed income for them. 306 00:15:17,880 --> 00:15:21,960 Speaker 1: They if teachers' unions have public schools open, it's a 307 00:15:21,960 --> 00:15:24,800 Speaker 1: guaranteed income. And I think that's something that people don't understand, 308 00:15:25,160 --> 00:15:28,080 Speaker 1: that teachers are forced into the union in most states, 309 00:15:28,120 --> 00:15:31,520 Speaker 1: and then if they're in the union, they're obviously paying dues. 310 00:15:31,600 --> 00:15:34,680 Speaker 1: Those dues are getting paid out of their paycheck, which 311 00:15:34,720 --> 00:15:39,240 Speaker 1: is taxpayer funded, and therefore your taxpayer dollars are often 312 00:15:39,400 --> 00:15:42,960 Speaker 1: funding Democrats to get elected one hundred percent. 313 00:15:43,200 --> 00:15:45,560 Speaker 3: And thankfully, you know stays like Florida. 314 00:15:45,640 --> 00:15:49,920 Speaker 2: I actually advocated for paycheck protection for ten years before 315 00:15:49,960 --> 00:15:53,280 Speaker 2: it finally got passed under Governor DeSantis. So prop to 316 00:15:53,320 --> 00:15:56,680 Speaker 2: him and the legislature for finally getting it done. And 317 00:15:56,720 --> 00:16:00,200 Speaker 2: that means that our school districts no longer subsidize the 318 00:16:00,200 --> 00:16:03,200 Speaker 2: collection of union dues on behalf of our teachers' unions. 319 00:16:03,360 --> 00:16:06,960 Speaker 2: They cannot be automatically taken out of the paychecks any longer. 320 00:16:07,280 --> 00:16:11,600 Speaker 2: That combined with laws that allow for decertification when union 321 00:16:11,800 --> 00:16:14,560 Speaker 2: membership falls below a certain threshold. In Florida, believe it's 322 00:16:14,600 --> 00:16:18,040 Speaker 2: now fifty percent. It keeps the unions on their toes 323 00:16:18,080 --> 00:16:20,880 Speaker 2: and in some cases allows for another type of organization 324 00:16:21,000 --> 00:16:23,600 Speaker 2: to come in to be the collective bargaining unit for 325 00:16:23,640 --> 00:16:26,360 Speaker 2: those teachers that may not have the same political ties 326 00:16:26,440 --> 00:16:29,560 Speaker 2: as a traditional teachers union member of one of the 327 00:16:29,640 --> 00:16:30,800 Speaker 2: national organizations. 328 00:16:30,800 --> 00:16:32,320 Speaker 3: So we're seeing reforms. 329 00:16:32,360 --> 00:16:35,120 Speaker 2: Obviously, we've gotten some Supreme Court decisions that have gone 330 00:16:35,160 --> 00:16:37,680 Speaker 2: our way as well, not forcing people to be members 331 00:16:37,680 --> 00:16:40,040 Speaker 2: of the union any longer in the states around the country, 332 00:16:40,400 --> 00:16:42,440 Speaker 2: and so I think that will continue to evolve. But 333 00:16:42,480 --> 00:16:45,080 Speaker 2: that's also why school choice is so great for teachers, 334 00:16:45,320 --> 00:16:48,120 Speaker 2: because it gives them a non union option that will 335 00:16:48,120 --> 00:16:51,760 Speaker 2: allow great teachers to thrive and even perhaps get paid 336 00:16:51,840 --> 00:16:56,359 Speaker 2: more for their better performance for going into more difficult neighborhoods, 337 00:16:56,360 --> 00:16:58,080 Speaker 2: which you cannot do in the public schools. 338 00:16:58,360 --> 00:17:00,960 Speaker 1: Stick around. We've got more with Eric Donald's, but first 339 00:17:00,960 --> 00:17:03,160 Speaker 1: I want to tell you about my partners at Wired 340 00:17:03,200 --> 00:17:06,120 Speaker 1: to Fish. I recently came across this company and they're 341 00:17:06,119 --> 00:17:09,800 Speaker 1: making a huge difference worldwide. Again, it's called Wired to 342 00:17:09,880 --> 00:17:12,840 Speaker 1: Fish Coffee. I love the brand for a couple of reasons, 343 00:17:12,840 --> 00:17:15,000 Speaker 1: but one of the biggest ones is because it aligns 344 00:17:15,040 --> 00:17:17,919 Speaker 1: with my faith By putting their profits where their mouth is. 345 00:17:18,320 --> 00:17:21,400 Speaker 1: Wired to Fish Coffee gives twenty five percent of their 346 00:17:21,440 --> 00:17:25,280 Speaker 1: net profits to faith based programs and clean water initiatives 347 00:17:25,440 --> 00:17:29,159 Speaker 1: twenty five percent, and the coffee is delicious. It's sourced 348 00:17:29,160 --> 00:17:32,200 Speaker 1: in Guatemala and Mexico and known for some of the 349 00:17:32,280 --> 00:17:35,520 Speaker 1: finest coffee beans in the world. Wired to Fish Coffee's 350 00:17:35,720 --> 00:17:39,440 Speaker 1: rich Arabica blend has already been loved by thousands who 351 00:17:39,480 --> 00:17:42,920 Speaker 1: comment on its smooth finish and amazing taste. So give 352 00:17:43,080 --> 00:17:45,439 Speaker 1: Wired to Fish Coffee a try today and join a 353 00:17:45,440 --> 00:17:49,200 Speaker 1: community of like minded people making a difference. I mean, seriously, 354 00:17:49,240 --> 00:17:51,520 Speaker 1: you guys, you're all drinking coffee. I know you are, 355 00:17:51,640 --> 00:17:54,639 Speaker 1: so drink coffee that has something that you're passionate about. 356 00:17:54,680 --> 00:17:57,800 Speaker 1: It's Wired to Fish Coffee. Head over there now Wired 357 00:17:57,920 --> 00:18:03,520 Speaker 1: Tofishcoffee dot com. That's wired the number two Fishcoffee dot 358 00:18:03,520 --> 00:18:07,760 Speaker 1: com and use tutor that code tutor for fifteen percent 359 00:18:07,880 --> 00:18:10,640 Speaker 1: off your first order. Now, stay tuned. We'll be right 360 00:18:10,680 --> 00:18:16,440 Speaker 1: back after this. Talked a lot about being in DC. 361 00:18:16,600 --> 00:18:18,960 Speaker 1: You said, now that Donald Trump has been elected, you've 362 00:18:18,960 --> 00:18:22,040 Speaker 1: been there quite a bit. Obviously, we know your husband 363 00:18:22,040 --> 00:18:25,120 Speaker 1: and Congressman Byron Donalds is in DC as much as 364 00:18:25,160 --> 00:18:27,880 Speaker 1: Congress is in sessions, so now you're probably actually seeing 365 00:18:27,920 --> 00:18:30,400 Speaker 1: a little bit more of him. But you guys recently 366 00:18:30,440 --> 00:18:32,520 Speaker 1: made an announcement that you'd like to spend a little 367 00:18:32,520 --> 00:18:34,760 Speaker 1: bit more time in Florida, So tell us a little 368 00:18:34,760 --> 00:18:35,360 Speaker 1: bit about that. 369 00:18:36,520 --> 00:18:39,919 Speaker 2: Yeah, we're very fortunate that Donald Trump came out and 370 00:18:40,240 --> 00:18:43,080 Speaker 2: gave him the run Byron run tweet with a full 371 00:18:43,200 --> 00:18:45,679 Speaker 2: endorsement of Byron for governor of Florida. So just a 372 00:18:45,680 --> 00:18:48,200 Speaker 2: few days later, about a month ago now, my husband 373 00:18:48,240 --> 00:18:50,840 Speaker 2: announced that he would be running for governor. We've been 374 00:18:50,840 --> 00:18:52,679 Speaker 2: in Florida since we were in college. We met at 375 00:18:52,680 --> 00:18:55,800 Speaker 2: Florida State University, which is in Tallahassee, or state capital, 376 00:18:56,200 --> 00:18:59,520 Speaker 2: started dating, got married, built a life, built a family. 377 00:18:59,600 --> 00:19:02,720 Speaker 2: We spent twenty years in financial services before ever getting 378 00:19:02,760 --> 00:19:05,360 Speaker 2: involved in politics. It was not in our plans at all, 379 00:19:05,800 --> 00:19:08,240 Speaker 2: but we have been serving the community in different ways 380 00:19:08,280 --> 00:19:10,840 Speaker 2: and just had been encouraged to get more involved in 381 00:19:10,840 --> 00:19:11,560 Speaker 2: public service. 382 00:19:11,680 --> 00:19:14,399 Speaker 3: So it's kind of been a progression where, you know, 383 00:19:14,440 --> 00:19:15,040 Speaker 3: more and more. 384 00:19:14,880 --> 00:19:18,760 Speaker 2: People have trusted us and especially my husband, with decisions 385 00:19:18,800 --> 00:19:22,119 Speaker 2: on behalf of our community, from state House to Congress, 386 00:19:22,400 --> 00:19:24,440 Speaker 2: and now you know, we hope that we can get 387 00:19:24,480 --> 00:19:28,199 Speaker 2: the endorsement of the majority of Floridians to go to 388 00:19:28,240 --> 00:19:30,480 Speaker 2: Tallahassee and really make a difference in a state that's 389 00:19:30,520 --> 00:19:32,760 Speaker 2: been so good to us and is in such a 390 00:19:32,760 --> 00:19:36,560 Speaker 2: great position to really thrive in the coming years. And 391 00:19:36,680 --> 00:19:40,119 Speaker 2: DeSantis is turned out, so he's not running again, So 392 00:19:40,160 --> 00:19:42,320 Speaker 2: we just are really looking forward to it. It's been 393 00:19:42,320 --> 00:19:45,240 Speaker 2: an awesome first month of the campaign, so much the port. 394 00:19:45,320 --> 00:19:47,720 Speaker 2: We've got to kick off this weekend a rally in 395 00:19:47,800 --> 00:19:51,879 Speaker 2: our hometown here in southwest Florida. So it's it's exciting, 396 00:19:52,400 --> 00:19:55,840 Speaker 2: and I just feel honored that so many people trust him, 397 00:19:56,160 --> 00:19:58,840 Speaker 2: trust us with such a big responsibility. 398 00:19:59,119 --> 00:20:01,000 Speaker 1: There have been some other name that have been thrown around. 399 00:20:01,040 --> 00:20:02,720 Speaker 1: I mean, Matt Gates had been thrown around. I think 400 00:20:02,760 --> 00:20:05,280 Speaker 1: he said he's not going to run. But you talked 401 00:20:05,280 --> 00:20:08,520 Speaker 1: about Ron DeSantis being term limited. Casey DeSantis is not, 402 00:20:08,960 --> 00:20:12,240 Speaker 1: so they there has been some talk about the first 403 00:20:12,320 --> 00:20:15,920 Speaker 1: lady run of Florida running for governor. What do you think? 404 00:20:15,960 --> 00:20:17,520 Speaker 1: What are you hearing behind the scenes on that. 405 00:20:18,280 --> 00:20:20,639 Speaker 2: You know that has come up a few times. You 406 00:20:20,680 --> 00:20:23,280 Speaker 2: know she's teased to run. I don't know what she's 407 00:20:23,320 --> 00:20:25,439 Speaker 2: going to do. But I know my husband has an 408 00:20:25,440 --> 00:20:28,840 Speaker 2: incredible track record, you know, both voting in the state 409 00:20:28,920 --> 00:20:32,240 Speaker 2: House and in Congress. He's got the most conservative track 410 00:20:32,320 --> 00:20:34,640 Speaker 2: record from all of the groups that you know track 411 00:20:34,720 --> 00:20:37,359 Speaker 2: these things when it comes to votes. But also he 412 00:20:37,440 --> 00:20:40,840 Speaker 2: spent twenty years in financial services, in banking and insurance, 413 00:20:40,880 --> 00:20:43,119 Speaker 2: and those are the things that really brings something to 414 00:20:43,160 --> 00:20:46,240 Speaker 2: the table for Florida. We have an insurance crisis and 415 00:20:46,320 --> 00:20:49,960 Speaker 2: property taxes. He totally understands those issues, and we want 416 00:20:50,000 --> 00:20:52,240 Speaker 2: to be the financial and business capital. 417 00:20:51,840 --> 00:20:54,040 Speaker 3: Of the world. We're already well on our way there. 418 00:20:54,240 --> 00:20:56,680 Speaker 2: So I just think that his background really aligns well 419 00:20:56,680 --> 00:20:59,120 Speaker 2: with where we're positioned as a state right now. And 420 00:20:59,160 --> 00:21:01,440 Speaker 2: the fact that he does have such a conservative track 421 00:21:01,480 --> 00:21:03,080 Speaker 2: record really speaks to Floridians. 422 00:21:03,359 --> 00:21:05,680 Speaker 1: I mean, Florida is a unique state because when you're 423 00:21:05,800 --> 00:21:10,639 Speaker 1: looking at states like Florida or California, you have a 424 00:21:10,800 --> 00:21:15,679 Speaker 1: propensity for natural disasters there. You obviously have a propensity 425 00:21:15,680 --> 00:21:18,600 Speaker 1: for hurricanes, and I assume that's what you're talking about 426 00:21:18,600 --> 00:21:22,080 Speaker 1: when it comes to insurance. Does he believe that his 427 00:21:22,200 --> 00:21:26,199 Speaker 1: background in insurance would help him in crisis situations like that? 428 00:21:26,240 --> 00:21:28,560 Speaker 1: Because I think anybody who is looking at who can 429 00:21:28,640 --> 00:21:32,080 Speaker 1: lead the state. In your states specifically, that would be 430 00:21:32,080 --> 00:21:35,600 Speaker 1: a great concern is that we have a natural disaster 431 00:21:35,880 --> 00:21:39,040 Speaker 1: almost every year and that puts you directly into crisis 432 00:21:39,080 --> 00:21:41,119 Speaker 1: mode every fall. 433 00:21:41,800 --> 00:21:45,760 Speaker 2: Sure, that's one aspect of it. Our insurance market is 434 00:21:46,000 --> 00:21:48,919 Speaker 2: really in crisis right now. We've had a lot of 435 00:21:48,960 --> 00:21:52,320 Speaker 2: carriers lead the state because of some of the natural disasters. 436 00:21:52,520 --> 00:21:53,840 Speaker 3: You know, there's legislation that. 437 00:21:53,800 --> 00:21:56,920 Speaker 2: Could be improved in order to better the insurance markets here, 438 00:21:57,440 --> 00:21:59,800 Speaker 2: both property insurance and car insurance. 439 00:22:00,080 --> 00:22:02,239 Speaker 3: So that's a big concern. So just the mechanisms of that. 440 00:22:02,400 --> 00:22:04,440 Speaker 2: He did serve as a chair of that committee in 441 00:22:04,480 --> 00:22:07,040 Speaker 2: the state House when he was there, but also in 442 00:22:07,119 --> 00:22:10,600 Speaker 2: Southwest Florida. Unfortunately, we've had a lot of direct hits 443 00:22:10,640 --> 00:22:12,960 Speaker 2: while he has been a representative either at the state 444 00:22:13,280 --> 00:22:15,880 Speaker 2: or congressional level, so he has been on the ground 445 00:22:16,080 --> 00:22:19,160 Speaker 2: in Southwest Florida. I remember during IRMA there were three 446 00:22:19,200 --> 00:22:21,360 Speaker 2: weeks that I didn't see him because he was out 447 00:22:21,359 --> 00:22:24,400 Speaker 2: there on the ground helping our community when we first 448 00:22:24,480 --> 00:22:27,119 Speaker 2: got hit in twenty seventeen. We got hit with ian 449 00:22:27,480 --> 00:22:29,359 Speaker 2: a couple of years ago, and of course he was 450 00:22:29,400 --> 00:22:31,639 Speaker 2: in Congress at the time, so facilitating a lot of 451 00:22:31,680 --> 00:22:36,000 Speaker 2: those disaster recovery efforts, So he's got that direct experience, 452 00:22:36,080 --> 00:22:38,560 Speaker 2: not just in the markets and preparing for those things, 453 00:22:38,640 --> 00:22:41,879 Speaker 2: but actually being on the ground helping our community directly 454 00:22:41,960 --> 00:22:42,560 Speaker 2: when they hit. 455 00:22:43,840 --> 00:22:45,720 Speaker 1: Well. I mean, it sounds like you have a lot 456 00:22:45,760 --> 00:22:49,040 Speaker 1: ahead of you with these are two big things. You've 457 00:22:49,040 --> 00:22:51,960 Speaker 1: got education and you've got a big campaign coming up. 458 00:22:52,560 --> 00:22:57,040 Speaker 1: What does Byron what is the for him for the congressman? 459 00:22:57,320 --> 00:22:59,919 Speaker 1: What is the biggest issue that he thinks Florida's facing me. 460 00:23:00,000 --> 00:23:03,639 Speaker 1: We talked about insurance, but there must be something that 461 00:23:03,720 --> 00:23:06,080 Speaker 1: he is just just driving him to get out there 462 00:23:06,080 --> 00:23:07,520 Speaker 1: and say, I want to do this one to serve 463 00:23:07,520 --> 00:23:09,760 Speaker 1: for the people right directly in my state on the 464 00:23:09,840 --> 00:23:11,080 Speaker 1: highest level that he can. 465 00:23:12,440 --> 00:23:15,480 Speaker 2: It really does center around individual liberty and freedom. 466 00:23:15,520 --> 00:23:16,800 Speaker 3: I think a lot of people don't know. 467 00:23:16,880 --> 00:23:19,959 Speaker 2: We started off in politics in the Tea Party movement, 468 00:23:20,200 --> 00:23:22,840 Speaker 2: and it was all centered around small governments and the 469 00:23:22,840 --> 00:23:25,879 Speaker 2: government not getting in the way, picking winners and losers, 470 00:23:25,960 --> 00:23:30,280 Speaker 2: doing bailouts. And that's what got us involved in politics 471 00:23:30,320 --> 00:23:30,960 Speaker 2: in the first place. 472 00:23:30,960 --> 00:23:32,040 Speaker 3: And my husband went back. 473 00:23:31,920 --> 00:23:34,920 Speaker 2: And read things like Frederick Bastiat The Law. I've got 474 00:23:35,000 --> 00:23:37,760 Speaker 2: John Locke here behind me and my bookshelf, and so 475 00:23:37,800 --> 00:23:41,359 Speaker 2: it really comes down to political philosophy that gives people 476 00:23:41,400 --> 00:23:44,480 Speaker 2: the best opportunities to succeed in life because. 477 00:23:44,240 --> 00:23:46,720 Speaker 3: Government is not tying them up. 478 00:23:46,880 --> 00:23:50,919 Speaker 2: In bureaucracy and regulations and things like that. So you know, 479 00:23:50,960 --> 00:23:53,520 Speaker 2: that's kind of the overall picture is having people who 480 00:23:53,640 --> 00:23:57,760 Speaker 2: understand what the right political philosophy is in our country 481 00:23:57,760 --> 00:24:03,840 Speaker 2: of federalism, individual liberty and choices, property rights, and not 482 00:24:04,240 --> 00:24:06,840 Speaker 2: get involved so much in the nuances because there are 483 00:24:06,840 --> 00:24:08,479 Speaker 2: going to be new issues that come up that we 484 00:24:08,560 --> 00:24:10,639 Speaker 2: can't even think to talk about if he were to 485 00:24:10,640 --> 00:24:13,120 Speaker 2: become governor over the next eight years. So you need 486 00:24:13,160 --> 00:24:15,520 Speaker 2: someone who has the right principles and the route right 487 00:24:15,600 --> 00:24:17,760 Speaker 2: foundation that's going to make the right decision when those 488 00:24:17,800 --> 00:24:20,040 Speaker 2: new issues come up that we can't even think to 489 00:24:20,119 --> 00:24:21,080 Speaker 2: discuss at this point. 490 00:24:22,080 --> 00:24:23,760 Speaker 1: So before I let you go, tell me what do 491 00:24:23,840 --> 00:24:26,280 Speaker 1: we expect to see out of you in this new 492 00:24:26,359 --> 00:24:28,919 Speaker 1: role at the America First Policy Institute, And what do 493 00:24:28,960 --> 00:24:31,760 Speaker 1: we expect to see on the national scale when it 494 00:24:31,800 --> 00:24:36,080 Speaker 1: comes to education before you guys dive into this major campaign. 495 00:24:36,960 --> 00:24:39,320 Speaker 2: Well, I'm going to continue to work with like I said, 496 00:24:39,359 --> 00:24:41,960 Speaker 2: the White House and Lenna McMahon and her team and 497 00:24:42,040 --> 00:24:46,719 Speaker 2: Congress to dismantle the Department, answer the executive orders regarding 498 00:24:46,760 --> 00:24:49,959 Speaker 2: school choice for the President, and hopefully get the Education 499 00:24:50,080 --> 00:24:52,760 Speaker 2: Choice for Children Act through reconciliation, which will be our 500 00:24:52,800 --> 00:24:55,880 Speaker 2: first federal tax credit for school choice, and that will 501 00:24:55,880 --> 00:24:58,960 Speaker 2: help a lot of blue states where people want school 502 00:24:59,040 --> 00:25:01,440 Speaker 2: choice and just won't have access to it through their 503 00:25:01,480 --> 00:25:02,399 Speaker 2: state legislatures. 504 00:25:02,400 --> 00:25:03,760 Speaker 3: It's a completely it's. 505 00:25:03,640 --> 00:25:07,200 Speaker 2: All tax, it's not on the doe. But we're hoping 506 00:25:07,200 --> 00:25:10,720 Speaker 2: to get that passed. But then most importantly, we're supporting 507 00:25:10,760 --> 00:25:14,080 Speaker 2: states in their efforts to expand or an act school choice. 508 00:25:14,359 --> 00:25:16,520 Speaker 2: We're working with Texas right now to get that across 509 00:25:16,520 --> 00:25:17,400 Speaker 2: the finish line. 510 00:25:17,680 --> 00:25:20,440 Speaker 3: My first thing that I did in this position was. 511 00:25:20,400 --> 00:25:23,240 Speaker 2: To write a letter and help Tennessee get their universal 512 00:25:23,240 --> 00:25:26,399 Speaker 2: school choice passed, and then helping to improve those policies 513 00:25:26,400 --> 00:25:29,520 Speaker 2: across the board, because there's a lot of experimentation going 514 00:25:29,600 --> 00:25:31,960 Speaker 2: on in school choice and in essays, and we want 515 00:25:32,000 --> 00:25:34,679 Speaker 2: to make sure everyone gets the very best practices in 516 00:25:34,800 --> 00:25:37,680 Speaker 2: place so the most families can take advantage of these 517 00:25:37,720 --> 00:25:40,560 Speaker 2: and that we bring about innovation, quality and access for 518 00:25:40,680 --> 00:25:43,920 Speaker 2: everyone in a free market environment. So that's what you're 519 00:25:43,920 --> 00:25:46,159 Speaker 2: going to expect to see. If you don't already follow 520 00:25:46,200 --> 00:25:48,800 Speaker 2: me on Twitter at Erica Donald's please do. And that's 521 00:25:48,840 --> 00:25:51,400 Speaker 2: where I try to post everything that's going on, both 522 00:25:51,440 --> 00:25:53,960 Speaker 2: federally and statewide so people can stay up to date. 523 00:25:54,720 --> 00:25:57,639 Speaker 1: Amazing well, I expect to see great things, and we 524 00:25:57,680 --> 00:25:59,560 Speaker 1: are so glad that you came on to talk to 525 00:25:59,640 --> 00:26:04,200 Speaker 1: us this so congratulations on your new position, and congratulations 526 00:26:04,240 --> 00:26:06,520 Speaker 1: on making the decision as a family to go out 527 00:26:06,520 --> 00:26:09,359 Speaker 1: and run for governor. That's a big one, yes, don't 528 00:26:09,359 --> 00:26:09,840 Speaker 1: you know it. 529 00:26:09,920 --> 00:26:12,239 Speaker 3: Thank you so much. Thank you for having me. I 530 00:26:12,240 --> 00:26:13,560 Speaker 3: really appreciate it. Hopefully we'll get to. 531 00:26:13,560 --> 00:26:16,439 Speaker 1: Talk again soon, absolutely, and thank you all for joining 532 00:26:16,520 --> 00:26:19,399 Speaker 1: us on the Tutor Dixon Podcast. For this episode and others, 533 00:26:19,440 --> 00:26:22,760 Speaker 1: go to Tutordison podcast dot com. You can subscribe right there, 534 00:26:23,080 --> 00:26:25,919 Speaker 1: or head over to the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or 535 00:26:25,960 --> 00:26:28,720 Speaker 1: wherever you get your podcasts and join us next time 536 00:26:28,760 --> 00:26:35,160 Speaker 1: on the Tutor Dixon Podcast. Have a bless day.