State Senate President Bill Galvano told a Sarasota business audience Tuesday that the more conservative Florida Supreme Court being fashioned by Gov. Ron DeSantis could pave the way for education reforms that had been struck down in the past. “We have a new court,” Galvano, R-Bradenton, told a sold-out crowd of 270 at the Argus…
Florida law requires residents to report and pay the sales taxes they own on items purchased from mail order catalogs or the internet. Few residents actually do this, but a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision cleared the way for out of state businesses to begin the collections, but the change would require legislative approval. Read…
Tallahassee, FL – With Florida’s 2019 Legislative Session Interim Committee weeks underway, Executive Director Andrea Messina provides members with a video update of Week 2’s events: Education related bills, Inauguration activities, and more. Be sure to visit the 2019 Legislative Session page for in-depth summaries, resources, bill tracking and more.
This issue of the Session Spotlight provides highlights of events during the past week including activities and meetings during Legislative Interim Committee Meeting Week 2, information about the online Review of the Report of the Marjory Stoneman Douglass Public Safety Commission conducted by Commission member and Citrus County School Board member Doug Dodd, and other…
Florida voters who want to limit the length of time school board members serve in office might get their chance in 2020. The idea, which appeared to have traction last fall in private polls, is headed back to the Legislature for another round of consideration. Read More
Florida lawmakers and school leaders make a big deal about the state’s rising graduation rates, citing the importance of earning a diploma to finding success in college and career. Yet despite the climbing percentages, many students cannot pass the state’s required tests in reading or math. Some turn to alternate exams, some to adult education.…
Andrew Pollack, the father of slain Marjory Stoneman Douglas High student Meadow Pollack, is one of two appointees to the Florida Board of Education. Gov. Rick Scott nominated Pollack to a four-year term replacing Jacksonville businessman Gary Chartrand, who was ineligible because of term limits. Scott also reappointed former state Rep. Tom Grady of Naples…
The Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission on Wednesday released its long-awaited findings and recommendations in the aftermath of the Feb. 14 Parkland high school shooting — including a call to allow some teachers to carry weapons on campus. Read More Read Initial Report
Florida’s teacher shortage has been well documented and growing. It has come at a time when national data show educators quitting the profession at the highest rate in years. A Sarasota Democrat hopes to ease the resulting burden school districts face with a simple tweak to state retirement laws. Read More
While Florida’s school enrollment has reportedly failed to meet the state’s annual projections, the student population in Walton, Okaloosa and Santa Rosa counties has increased again this year. According to a report released Dec. 19 by the Legislature’s Office of Demographic and Economic Research, Florida has 17,142 fewer students in its K-12 system than state…