TALLAHASSEE – In a pivotal vote, a Senate education committee on Wednesday narrowly gave its support for continuing a controversial program that awards teacher bonuses based, in part, on how well they did on college-entrance exams. Although the “Best and Brightest” program is in its first year, senators didn’t debate it last year — only the House did —…
It’s the second time around for a bill that would allow Florida students to attend the public school of their choice. But unlike last year, when the measure was first introduced, this year’s effort is bringing sharp critiques from Democrats. Last year, Florida lawmakers expressed intrigue in a bill that would let kids attend schools…
Palm Beach County’s School Board has angered the charter school industry by rejecting two charter applications for not being “innovative.” Now the charter movement’s allies in the Florida Legislature are pushing back. A state House committee advanced a bill Wednesday that would change the Florida Constitution to give voters the option to let charter schools win approval…
TALLAHASSEE Tumbling financial markets are further clouding Gov. Rick Scott’s push for $1 billion in tax cuts as the Legislature deals with a suddenly less rosy financial outlook and less money to divvy up. State budget forecasters this week said they expect that Florida will have nearly $400 million less for its budget than originally…
TODAY’S HAPPENINGS [NOTE: The bills listed below are linked to the each bill’s website where you can find information about the bill including the bill sponsor, committees of reference, and staff analysis. The committees/subcommittees are linked to each committee’s website where you can find information about the committee including the committee’s leadership, membership and staff, the committee’s…
Is social media – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram your district’s friend or foe? The correct answer is YES. It is your friend when it is used to build community engagement and support, share good news, and foster communication. It is your foe when it is used to foster inappropriate relationships and share harmful or false information.…
TALLAHASSEE — Several thousand supporters of tax-credit funded scholarships targeted the statewide teachers’ union in a massive rally near the Capitol on Tuesday. Black and Hispanic religious leaders and civil rights activists, including Martin Luther King III, implored the Florida Education Association to drop its lawsuit challenging the voucher-like program that serves about 75,000 students.…
Our first Weekly Video Update features FSBA Executive Director Andrea Messina providing a general overview of the political climate in Tallahassee and of the issues we expect to be in the spotlight during the 2016 Session. In addition, this video provides some more detailed information on the bills and issues that were addressed during the first…
FSBA WEEKLY VIDEO UPDATE Our first Video Update for the 2016 Legislative Session has been posted on the FSBA website at www.fsba.org – you may access the video by clicking on the link to 2015 Legislative Session Video Update 1 under “Legislative Session Updates” (located below the pictures on our main page) or by using this…
The state legislature is meeting until March 11 and that has local governments looking anxiously at the state capitol. Lawmakers have filed more than 20 bills seeking to pre-empt local authority on issues including oil and gas regulations, construction standards for abortion clinics and whether a town can declare itself a sanctuary city. Tallahassee City Commissioner…