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…
TALLAHASSEE — A major ethics and anti-corruption bill that advocates say is long overdue — but critics say may go too far — faces a rocky path in theFlorida Legislature. The legislation seeks to end what a 2010 grand jury called a “corruption tax” on Florida citizens amounting to millions a year in extra taxes,…
TALLAHASSEE – A state senator from St. Petersburg says he might wade into the controversial issue of prayer at high school athletic events during this legislative session. Republican Jeff Brandes’ interest in the topic stems from an incident in December when the Florida High School Athletic Association wouldn’t allow two Christian schools — Tampa’s Cambridge Christian School…
A lawsuit filed in 2009 alleging that Florida has failed in its most important duty — providing every student with a uniform and a high quality education — will finally go to trial in Tallahassee this March. To that end, the attorneys presenting the case are asking the community for financial help to ensure that…
Jeb Bush on Monday outlined a plan to overhaul education that seeks to diminish the federal role while providing more incentive for people to save. Coming on Martin Luther King Day, Bush said, “access to a quality education is the great civil rights challenge of our time.” Ideas include: Create Education Savings Accounts to replace 529 college savings…
A sweeping proposal to bring “school choice” to Florida high school athletics and other extracurricular activities passed its first Senate committee Thursday, despite concerns that it could encourage rampant recruiting of student-athletes. Senate Bill 684 — approved unanimously by the Senate Pre-K-12 Education Committee — builds on lawmakers’ efforts in recent years to grant more flexibility for student-athletes…
1. Legislative session hopes to be peaceful: http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/legislative-leaders-look-peaceful-session-start 2. Daily updates posted: https://fsba.org/2016-legislative-session-resource-center/ 3. Florida school districts struggling with teacher shortage: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/education/fl-schools-teacher-shortage-20160113-story.html 4. Kindergarten is the new first grade: http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2016/01/07/kindergarten-today-looks-like-first-grade-a-decade-ago 5. Kids want Presidential Candidates to debate science: http://www.theguardian.com/environment/climate-consensus-97-per-cent/2016/jan/14/kids-ask-us-presidential-candidates-to-debate-science
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…
Plans to expand education options for people with disabilities passed the Senate Wednesday with a unanimous vote. The measures are a priority for Senate President Andy Gardiner, who was moved to tears at the bill’s passage. Senator Don Gaetz of Destin’s plans would provide more scholarships and pave the way to college for people with…