Vote on Literacy Tests for Publicly Elected Officials Could Change Political Landscape

Why can’t Mayor Johnny read? The Law Store (www.youmakethelaws.com) wants to know. The maverick Florida-based citizens’ advocacy group has drafted legislation for a public referendum that would require those seeking public office in hundreds of Florida municipalities to take literacy tests to ensure the candidates possess fundamental reading, writing, and math skills.

“Elementary schoolchildren have to take basic skills tests. Job seekers have to take them. So, why shouldn’t those charged with making policy decisions that affect millions of people nationwide have to take them?” said Jay Schorr, president of TMR Multimedia and founder of The Law Store. “People would be shocked if they knew how many politicians – even in big cities – are virtually illiterate; lacking the basic reading, writing and math skills necessary to do their jobs properly.”

The Law Store assists individuals and businesses in enacting municipal laws with or without the cooperation of municipal governments.

“Municipal charters provide the legislative blueprints that allow citizens to amend the city charter, as well as draft, pass, implement and/or repeal ordinances,” Schorr said. “Most people don’t know about these charter provisions. But practically every municipality has them and they’re meant to be used to benefit city residents and businesses.”

Simply put, if a majority of voters want – and vote for – a proposed law, it becomes law… as long it’s not in conflict with prevailing state and federal laws. The Law Store is having the literacy referendum placed on the ballot in hundreds of Florida municipalities. If successful, Schorr wants to do the same thing in California, Texas and New York, using each successive victory to bolster the case for political literacy tests at the state and federal levels.

“Politicians deal with complex issues on a daily basis,” Schorr said. “Agendas span the gamut from budgetary matters to environmental issues, and from urban planning/redevelopment issues to law enforcement and education. To do the job properly, politicians must possess a requisite level of reading, writing, math and science skills. And the sad truth is many do not.”

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