FSBA Daily Updates: Legislative Session 06-23-2015

This morning, Governor Scott signed the state budget after vetoing more than $461 million in spending – reportedly a record amount in total vetoes.  The Governor’s lengthy veto message began with an overview of the state budget highlights, followed by a description and rationale for each item vetoed.  Governor Scott DID not veto any funding from the FEFP.  However, of the $461 million vetoed, about $27 million was vetoed from non-FEFP programs and services relating to K-12 Public Schools.  Among the more significant allocations that were vetoed:

• Special Facility Construction Account Funding for Jackson County ($8.84 million)
• Funding and proviso language establishing the Principal Autonomy Pilot Program Initiative ($400,000)
• A variety of programs and services classified as “School and Instructional Enhancements ($5.64 million)
• Funding earmarked for the State Board of Education to contract with a third-party entity to perform an assessment of school district and school digital readiness ($3 million)

We have posted the Governor’s complete Veto Message on the FSBA website in our 2015 Session Resource Center (URL:  https://fsba.org/2015-legislative-session-resource-center/).  Also, we have revised Part II of our FSBA Legislative Session Summary to reflect the Governor’s vetoes of funding and proviso that relate to K-12 education. The vetoed allocations and proviso are highlighted in RED, with allocation figures reduced by the vetoed amount and related proviso language stricken out.  This revised version of the budget portion of our Session Summary is available on the in our 2015 Session Resource Center along with our detailed summaries of SB 2502-A (the Appropriations Implementing Bill) and 2512-A (the FRS Contribution Rate bill).  In addition, to provide background and context, we have posted our FEFP Funding History spreadsheet and a Census Bureau Report on national education funding figures.

Ruth Haseman Melton
Director of Government Relations
Florida School Boards Association
Office:  850 / 414-2578
Cell:  850 / 509-6411
Email:  melton@fsba.org