House Speaker Corcoran Vows Fight With Senate, Scott Over Education Taxes

Florida House Speaker Richard Corcoran says he won’t raise taxes—either directly or indirectly. Corcoran took aim at the Florida Senate, stating he will also fight any plan that allows an increase in property tax revenue through higher property values to be counted toward public school funding. Read More

FSBA Session Spotlight — January 9, 2018

The Legislature convened the 2018 Legislative Session today with much of the traditional ceremony. In their respective chambers, Senate President Joe Negron and House Speaker Richard Corcoran both offered comments highlighting legislative successes in the 2017 Session and outlining in their priorities for the 2018 Session.  In his remarks, President Negron touched on several issues…

FSBA Session Spotlight — January 8, 2017

The 2018 Legislative Session will convene tomorrow, January 9, 2017. As usual, we are resuming our daily online reports and weekly video updates on legislative and related activities.  In addition, we have created or updated a number of publications and online resources to assist you in your advocacy efforts.  To stay current on legislative activities…

Legislative Weekly – 2018 Session Kickoff

Tallahassee, FL – With Florida’s 2018 Legislative Session kicking off next week, Executive Director Andrea Messina provides members with an overview of what’s to come. Be sure visit the FSBA Session Spotlight Blog and 2018 Legislative Session page for in-depth summaries, resources, and analyses.

FSBA Session Spotlight — December 18, 2017

The Constitution Revision Commission Committees met this week to consider several of the education related proposed amendments to the Florida Constitution that have been filed.  Please click on the link below to access our report on the education related proposals that were considered this week and information on upcoming meetings of CRC Committee and public hearings…

Proposals on school board term limits, elected superintendents move ahead

Despite pushback from the people who would be most affected, two proposed constitutional amendments aiming to change the governance of Florida public school districts gained support from a second committee of the Constitution Revision Commission on Thursday.  The proposals to limit school board members to eight consecutive years in office, and to end the election…

How A Deregulated Internet Could Hurt America’s Classrooms

Schools across the country are nervously watching to see if the Federal Communications Commission chooses to repeal Obama-era regulations that protect an open internet, often referred to as “net neutrality.”  The 2015 rules are meant to prevent internet providers, such as Comcast, AT&T and Verizon, from controlling what people can watch and see on the…

Appeals court upholds ruling against Florida education funding challenge

Florida’s First District Court of Appeal has agreed with the trial court against a group of parents who complained the state had violated its constitutional role to fund an “an efficient, safe, secure and uniform high-quality education.”  The case, filed in 2009,  questioned whether the Legislature and executive branch did enough to meet the “paramount duty” in…

School board pay question will return to Constitution Revision Commission

Erika Donalds barely saved her proposal to end Florida school board members’ salaries when it came before the Constitution Revision Commission education committee in November.  Headed for defeat, Donalds moved to postpone action rather than cast what would have been a tying vote for the measure. Proposals must have a majority in support to win favorable…