Hernando Lawmakers Weigh In On Evolution Bill

BROOKSVILLE - Sen. Mike Fasano admitted the controversial bill "isn't even close to being on my radar screen."

With the daunting task of trimming $500 million from the state's budget, a bill by fellow Sen. Ronda Storms that aims to protect teachers who broach other theories besides evolution in the classroom isn't a priority.

"It's a very heated topic," Fasano acknowledged, "but it's an issue that's not, in my opinion, on anybody's radar screen other than Sen. Storms."

Storms, R-Valrico, seems to have had some success to change that, though.

On Wednesday, Storms and Rep. D. Alan Hays, a Republican from Umatilla who is introducing the House version, held a press conference with actor-turned-commentator Ben Stein in Tallahassee to draw attention to the measure. Stein has produced a documentary called "Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed" that he says shows the negative effects experienced by teachers and scientists open to other theories.

House Speaker Marco Rubio, R-West Miami, also supports the bill.

Hernando Today asked members of Hernando County's legislative delegation where they would stand on the bill if it made it to the floor.

SB 2692, dubbed the Academic Freedom Act, asserts that "in many instances educators have experienced or feared discipline, discrimination or other adverse consequences as a result of presenting the full range of scientific views regarding chemical and biological evolution."

"Every public school teacher in the state's K-12 school system shall have the affirmative right and freedom to objectively present scientific information relevant to the full range of scientific views regarding biological and chemical evolution in connection with teaching any prescribed curriculum regarding chemical or biological origins," Storms' bill states.

The bill notes that it does not change the state's curriculum. The state Board of Education voted 4-3 two weeks ago to explicitly require the teaching of evolution and did not allow leeway for theories such as creationism or intelligent design.

Neither of those two latter theories is mentioned in the Storms bill, but critics contend the measure is simply a thinly veiled attempt to increase the chances that science teachers will incorporate them into a lesson plan. The theories, critics say, cannot be studied using the scientific method, and therefore belong in other courses such as philosophy or religious studies.

Fasano, R-New Port Richey, said he admires Storms' passion but doesn't see a need for the bill.

"I do believe teachers should have the opportunity to allow for open discussion and they have it," Fasano said. "It shouldn't be teachers obligated to teach religious beliefs; it's our parents and churches."

Rep. Rob Schenck, R-Spring Hill, said he would consider supporting the bill "as long as it's done responsibly." Schenck taught high school before his election to the House in 2006.

"In my opinion, and this coming from an ex-teacher, education is the pursuit of knowledge," Schenck said. "Why should we contain that knowledge to certain theories?"

Schenck said criticism of Storms and her bill is misguided.

"People don't look at the root of (the) issue, and the root of the issue is education," he said. "Education should be all-encompassing."

Sen. Paula Dockery, R-Lakeland, said Tuesday that she hadn't read the bill. Dockery said she would do so and get back to a reporter but did not by deadline on Wednesday.

Rep. Ron Schultz, R-Inverness, did not return calls seeking comment.