Fla. Child Welfare Agency Nominee Assailed on ‘80s Articles

Gov. Jeb Bush’s nominee to head the state’s troubled child welfare system wrote a 1988 article in which he condoned “manly” discipline of children and urged women to work at home.

Jerry Regier drew immediate criticism Friday from Democrats, and at least one Republican legislator, for the piece in Pastoral Renewal, a now-defunct religious journal.

In it, he argued for a restoration of family values based on “biblical norms.”

The arguments are similar to those that appeared a year later in an article that Regier distanced himself from last week. But the authors in 1989 went further, condoning spanking even when it produces bruises or welts.

Regier, 57, said he was part of the group that released the 1989 paper but that he didn’t write it and doesn’t believe in such punishment.

In the 1988 article, Regier is listed as the sole author. He acknowledged in an interview published in Friday’s Miami Herald that he wrote “The Not-So-Disposable Family,” which appeared in the July-August issue of Pastoral Renewal.

“The Bible is not at all uncertain about value of discipline: ‘Although you smite him with the rod, he will not die. Smite him with the rod ... save the soul,’ ” the article says.

About women, it says: “Scripture is clear in stating that women are to be ‘helpmates’ to their husbands, that they are to bear and nurture, that they are to be ‘workers at home.’ ”

Regier told the Herald his writings were meant to encourage parents to take an active role in building character in their children.

At a news conference Friday, Regier said: “I spanked my kids, yes. And I think that probably parents who give a swat to a 2-year-old would agree with that. I think disciplining children is fine.”

After the article surfaced, the Democratic Party renewed its call for Bush to withdraw the nomination, and even some Republicans were beginning to question the appointment.

“As a female legislator, I have deep concerns about his core philosophies,” said state Rep. Nancy Detert (R-Venice), who is a member of the House committee that oversees Florida’s Department of Children and Families. “I’m hoping that these aren’t true, and I’m also hoping that the governor might want to rethink his choice if they are true.

“What we need now is a calming influence as an agency head, not a further bumpy road.... Everyone I’ve spoken with shares my concern,” she said.

Representatives from women’s groups also united against Regier.

“Kids don’t count, women don’t count with Jeb Bush,” said Barbara DeVane, who heads an organization called We All Count. “The true radical, right-wing Jeb Bush ... has taken over the body of the Jeb Bush he sold us in 1998.”

On Friday, Bush said attacks on Regier’s qualifications were unfounded.

“Going back and misinterpreting articles that were written 10 to 15 years ago as the basis for his departure just shows how it’s time to take a pause and a deep breath, maybe reflect on some of these assertions,” he said.

Bush also discounted criticism over views on spanking.

“If the mom or dad, out of love or discipline, want to use corporal punishment as a tool to bring a sense of order in a child’s life--which is commonplace--do they think the DCF should be called and kids should be yanked out of the home?” he asked.

Regier, a former Oklahoma Cabinet secretary who also worked for Bush’s father as head of the National Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, was named to replace Kathleen A. Kearney as head of the Florida agency.

Kearney resigned amid a series of troubling cases, including the disappearance of 5-year-old Rilya Wilson, who was missing from her foster home 15 months before the agency noticed.

She is still missing.