The DeVos nomination moved out of committee today on a 12-11 party vote and now goes to the full Senate, which is expected to confirm her as U.S education secretary. A billionaire school choice advocate from Michigan, DeVos requires a simple majority to win. Read More
When Gov. Rick Scott unveils his proposed state budget to a room full of reporters and editors Tuesday morning in Tallahassee, the plan likely will include few new blockbuster programs. What will be more interesting to budget observers is how Scott manages to fit everything he wants into the budget. Read More
Several Interim Legislative Committee meetings were held last week. Among the more significant meetings, the Senate PreK-12 Education Appropriations Subcommittee conducted a workshop on teacher pay and compensation. DOE presented an overview of statutory requirements and various adjustments, supplements, benefits, and other funding relating to compensation. This was followed by comments from a panel of…
FSBA #FridayFive – 5 Things You Should Know Read. Learn. Share. Retweet. DeVos confirmation postponed Does Florida need to do more for high achieving students? Can flexible seating arrangements increase student engagement? New ways to reduce absenteeism Start judging textbooks and other instructional materials by using student achievement
Despite a tight budget environment that will leave little room for extra spending, Gov. Rick Scott launched a media blitz Wednesday as he challenged lawmakers to slash taxes by $618 million. Scott launched his “Fighting for Florida’s Future” Tax Cut Tour in Jacksonville, the first of six stops planned as he pushes for reductions in…
In a committee hearing Tuesday, Florida lawmakers learned that while a tough budget year may be coming, they’re essentially letting more than two hundred million dollars in sales taxes go uncollected. “Sales from the internet are not exempt from the tax,” said Ryan Dugan, sales tax policy analyst with the House Ways and Means Committee on Tuesday.…
The Legislature has scheduled Interim Committee Meetings this week – January 23-27. Please click on the link below to view the schedule and agenda for each of these meeting. We will provide a report on these meetings on Monday, January 30. [NOTE: Nearly all meetings may be viewed via live webcast or archived videos on…
A measure that would help more juvenile offenders avoid arrest and the stained record that comes with it received its first favorable vote in the 2017 Legislature. Senate Bill 196 requires law enforcement officers to write civil citations or enroll minors in some type of diversion program when they are first-time offenders accused of certain…
A pair of Florida court decisions this week dealt severe blows to traditional public education, in one case upholding corporate tax vouchers for private schools, in another, diminishing the role of local school boards in deciding what charter schools may operate. Read More
Friday is the last day to apply to be a member of what may be one of the most influential groups assembled in Florida in two decades — the Florida Constitutional Revision Commission. The unique panel has the power to put proposals directly on the 2018 mid-term ballot to reform and update the state’s constitution,…