BTU, Teachers Rally Against Scott's Proposed Education Budget Cuts

MIAMI (CSB4)- A group of Broward County school representatives traveled to Tallahassee Wednesday morning to voice their opinion on the state's budget battle.

The group is hoping to talk to lawmakers about the impact the decision is having on teachers, school administrators and students.

Governor Rick Scott's proposed $3 billion education budget cut would include eliminating more than 40,000 jobs in the state, many of them teachers. Two weeks ago, lawmakers kicked off the 2011 legislative session in Tallahassee when Scott gave his State of the State address.

Since then, public employees, including various interest groups, have been protesting the proposed cuts.

The Broward Teachers Union is trying to stress the need for additional funding for public schools. They claim that students suffer from the cuts.

"What we don't like is what's happening right now," Pat Santeramo, president of the BTU, said. "Teachers are under attack, public education is under attack, public employees, police, fire fighters, government workers are all under attack. Even our union voice for working families is under attack."

The group hopes to accomplish a lot before returning to South Florida Thursday.