2/28/18
State
Senate Prek-12 budget conferees made the first offer on the Florida Education Finance Program tonight. Senate Ed Appropriations Chair Kathleen Passidomo offered restoration of cuts made by the proposed Senate budget earlier this month and several changes, bringing the Senate closer to the House level of funding. The offer is attached and the last page is the FEFP summary for review by district budget staff in particular. There is not nor will there be any district run on the offers until we see a final agreement. Passidomo proposed the Senate would reduce its cut in the Base Student Allocation from $45/fte to about $5/fte, return the funding for Best and Brightest scholarships and Schools of Hope to separate line items outside of the FEFP, increase Safe Schools for resource officers by $75 million and provide $100 million for mental health services and coordination. House Ed Appropriations and conference Chair Manny Diaz thanked Sen. Passidomo for the offer and said they would come back with the first House offer soon (we take that as likely tomorrow). Unlike recent years, both chambers have seemed very willing to reach agreement in short order as next Tuesday is the deadline for filing an agreed-to conference report in order to adjourn on time March 9th.
Meanwhile, amendments continue to be filed on SB7026, the school safety legislation, that will be up for amendment and questions tomorrow on the Senate floor. a final vote and debate is set to occur on Friday. Likewise, the House has its three-bill package (HB7101, HB7103, HB7105) on "special order" Friday, following the same two day procedure as the Senate. Since the House will be receiving and amending the Senate bill, it will be SB7026 that we will be tracking next week. The latest version of SB7026, staff analyses and 19 amendments so far can be found here. For HB7101 which is the primary bill, similar information is here, HB7103 is here andHB7105 is here.
Tomorrow and Friday will be near education marathon days for education bills as those that have passed committee is recent weeks will be heard on each chamber's floor for amendment, debate and vote. We'll keep you posted.
Federal
In case you missed it, U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos has announced guidance for districts and states affected by last year's storms. Her announcement islinked here and the guidance and related information can be accessed here: https://www.ed.gov/disasterrelief. Attached are excerpts from the recently passed legislation and DeVos' letter to state school chiefs.
Senate Prek-12 budget conferees made the first offer on the Florida Education Finance Program tonight. Senate Ed Appropriations Chair Kathleen Passidomo offered restoration of cuts made by the proposed Senate budget earlier this month and several changes, bringing the Senate closer to the House level of funding. The offer is attached and the last page is the FEFP summary for review by district budget staff in particular. There is not nor will there be any district run on the offers until we see a final agreement. Passidomo proposed the Senate would reduce its cut in the Base Student Allocation from $45/fte to about $5/fte, return the funding for Best and Brightest scholarships and Schools of Hope to separate line items outside of the FEFP, increase Safe Schools for resource officers by $75 million and provide $100 million for mental health services and coordination. House Ed Appropriations and conference Chair Manny Diaz thanked Sen. Passidomo for the offer and said they would come back with the first House offer soon (we take that as likely tomorrow). Unlike recent years, both chambers have seemed very willing to reach agreement in short order as next Tuesday is the deadline for filing an agreed-to conference report in order to adjourn on time March 9th.
Meanwhile, amendments continue to be filed on SB7026, the school safety legislation, that will be up for amendment and questions tomorrow on the Senate floor. a final vote and debate is set to occur on Friday. Likewise, the House has its three-bill package (HB7101, HB7103, HB7105) on "special order" Friday, following the same two day procedure as the Senate. Since the House will be receiving and amending the Senate bill, it will be SB7026 that we will be tracking next week. The latest version of SB7026, staff analyses and 19 amendments so far can be found here. For HB7101 which is the primary bill, similar information is here, HB7103 is here andHB7105 is here.
Tomorrow and Friday will be near education marathon days for education bills as those that have passed committee is recent weeks will be heard on each chamber's floor for amendment, debate and vote. We'll keep you posted.
Federal
In case you missed it, U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos has announced guidance for districts and states affected by last year's storms. Her announcement islinked here and the guidance and related information can be accessed here: https://www.ed.gov/disasterrelief. Attached are excerpts from the recently passed legislation and DeVos' letter to state school chiefs.
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2/27/18
State
Nineteen days after both chambers passed their respective FY19 budgets, conferees were named late today and a 7:30pm organizational meeting began the official work to resolve differences between the House and Senate for 2018-2019. Conferees are on a fast track with subcommittees to work out differences by 10:30amFriday, then "bump" unresolved issues to the full appropriations chairs who will have until Sunday morning before any remaining items go to the speaker and Senate president. The House is chairing and managing the budget this year with Carlos Trujillo as overall chair. Rep. Trujillo said his intent is to have a final agreed-to conference report done by next Tuesday morning which is within the 72 hours' constitutional waiting period before a vote can be taken. The schedule stays within theLegislature's sine die date of March 9th to adjourn.
Conferees are expected to start trading offers tomorrow. A list of conferees for each chamber is attached.
Senate Appropriations Chair Bob Bradley told his chamber this morning that the Legislature will have upwards of $700 million in real unforeseen costs with $400 million focused on the safe schools legislation, $167 million in last minute revenue reductions for next year and a $100 increase in Medicaid costs. Regarding the important allocations per state function, K-12 will have $13.1 billion, which is about $200 million higher than the House FEFP budget, but includes increases for safe schools, mental health services and possible other areas. I would expect the first conference meeting, likely tomorrow evening, will be to review a side-by-side comparison and for the first offer of compromise.The agreed-to allocations by function is attached, also.
Much of the delay to start conferencing comes from the Parkland shootings at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School as both chambers have spent the end of last week and all this week working on bills to fix security issues across Florida's schools. The House Appropriations Committee today passed (link to the bills is embedded in each) HB7101 (formerly APC18-06), HB7103 (formerly APC18-07) and HB7105 (formerly APC18-08) to fund more school resource officers through Safe Schools, initiate a "Marshall" training program for districts to voluntarily participate to train teachers or other staff as deputized employees in the event of a shooting action, funding for mental health counseling and services, and increasing communication requirements among local agencies relative to potential situations or those having been Baker Act'd. HB7101 passed along party-line votes after number people testified against using teachers or others as armed defenders. Similarly, the Senate passed a single bill containing all similar programs, SB7026, also in a partisan vote. SB7026 is on the floor "special order" calendar for Thursday in the Senate and the House threesome are on calendar Thursday as well for questions and amendments. One of the chambers, not sure which, will pass their package first for the other to amend and send back their version on Monday (unless timeline rules are waived in which case it would be Friday). I will forward the amended version of SB7026 as soon as it are available, probably tomorrow, rather than send amendments and substitute amendments at this point.
Meanwhile, the House Education Committee approved a revised and expanded HB495 that began as a cost study of the district cost differential and has moved to a 55-page multi-topic bill adding charter school provisions that had been previously approved in another bill in committee. The amended CSHB495 is attached for your and staff review.
Senate Appropriations also passed its version of HB7055. The bill become contested as Sen. Dennis Baxley succeeded in adding back in the provisions of HB25 (SB1031) that requires a union to seek recertification if its membership falls below 50%. The wording of the bill makes it apply primarily to the Florida Education Association and local affiliates. Final vote was 11-7 along party lines. The provision had been stripped from the bill last week in Education on a 5-4 vote. Also added were the contents of SB1434 on mental health programs sponsored by Sen. Kathleen Passidomo. Her bill has become the model for the Legislature in the school safetylegislation.
Last, of note, is HB79 and SB192 concerning meetings of school board members. The Senate bill is in the House and the House bill this week was amended to be similar to the Senate version. It is attached for your information. The Senate bill is poised to pass next week.
Federal
House Education and Workforce Chair Virginia Foxx has released letters to Ranking Member Bobby Scott and to the House Appropriations Committee chair requesting support to find funding for school safety. In it, she asks for bi-partisan support. Her press release follows here:
WASHINGTON – Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) today sent a letter to Ranking Member Bobby Scott (D-VA) in response to his February 15th letter requesting a hearing on school safety following the tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.
Chairwoman Foxx informed Ranking Member Scott that she is requesting action from the House Appropriations Committee for school safety measures, and invited his support in seeking that action.
“It is important that we work together to support states and school districts in their efforts to keep America’s students safe,” wrote Chairwoman Foxx to Ranking Member Scott. “As the Committee learned in its February 2013 hearing, school districts and local communities need flexibility in the resources provided to them so they can adopt the tools and practices that will best help them protect their students and provide appropriate supportive services to help prevent tragedies. That is one of the reasons we included the Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants (SSAEG) in the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).”
Chairwoman Foxx concluded, “This week, I am sending the attached letter to key Appropriations Committee leaders requesting that they make funding the SSAEG as authorized in ESSA a top priority. I invite you to join me in sending this letter. Congress worked in a bipartisan, bicameral way to create this flexible funding, and I welcome your partnership so the program may fulfill its purpose.”
For text of the letter to Ranking Member Scott, click here. For text of the letter to Appropriations Committee leaders, click here.
Nineteen days after both chambers passed their respective FY19 budgets, conferees were named late today and a 7:30pm organizational meeting began the official work to resolve differences between the House and Senate for 2018-2019. Conferees are on a fast track with subcommittees to work out differences by 10:30amFriday, then "bump" unresolved issues to the full appropriations chairs who will have until Sunday morning before any remaining items go to the speaker and Senate president. The House is chairing and managing the budget this year with Carlos Trujillo as overall chair. Rep. Trujillo said his intent is to have a final agreed-to conference report done by next Tuesday morning which is within the 72 hours' constitutional waiting period before a vote can be taken. The schedule stays within theLegislature's sine die date of March 9th to adjourn.
Conferees are expected to start trading offers tomorrow. A list of conferees for each chamber is attached.
Senate Appropriations Chair Bob Bradley told his chamber this morning that the Legislature will have upwards of $700 million in real unforeseen costs with $400 million focused on the safe schools legislation, $167 million in last minute revenue reductions for next year and a $100 increase in Medicaid costs. Regarding the important allocations per state function, K-12 will have $13.1 billion, which is about $200 million higher than the House FEFP budget, but includes increases for safe schools, mental health services and possible other areas. I would expect the first conference meeting, likely tomorrow evening, will be to review a side-by-side comparison and for the first offer of compromise.The agreed-to allocations by function is attached, also.
Much of the delay to start conferencing comes from the Parkland shootings at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School as both chambers have spent the end of last week and all this week working on bills to fix security issues across Florida's schools. The House Appropriations Committee today passed (link to the bills is embedded in each) HB7101 (formerly APC18-06), HB7103 (formerly APC18-07) and HB7105 (formerly APC18-08) to fund more school resource officers through Safe Schools, initiate a "Marshall" training program for districts to voluntarily participate to train teachers or other staff as deputized employees in the event of a shooting action, funding for mental health counseling and services, and increasing communication requirements among local agencies relative to potential situations or those having been Baker Act'd. HB7101 passed along party-line votes after number people testified against using teachers or others as armed defenders. Similarly, the Senate passed a single bill containing all similar programs, SB7026, also in a partisan vote. SB7026 is on the floor "special order" calendar for Thursday in the Senate and the House threesome are on calendar Thursday as well for questions and amendments. One of the chambers, not sure which, will pass their package first for the other to amend and send back their version on Monday (unless timeline rules are waived in which case it would be Friday). I will forward the amended version of SB7026 as soon as it are available, probably tomorrow, rather than send amendments and substitute amendments at this point.
Meanwhile, the House Education Committee approved a revised and expanded HB495 that began as a cost study of the district cost differential and has moved to a 55-page multi-topic bill adding charter school provisions that had been previously approved in another bill in committee. The amended CSHB495 is attached for your and staff review.
Senate Appropriations also passed its version of HB7055. The bill become contested as Sen. Dennis Baxley succeeded in adding back in the provisions of HB25 (SB1031) that requires a union to seek recertification if its membership falls below 50%. The wording of the bill makes it apply primarily to the Florida Education Association and local affiliates. Final vote was 11-7 along party lines. The provision had been stripped from the bill last week in Education on a 5-4 vote. Also added were the contents of SB1434 on mental health programs sponsored by Sen. Kathleen Passidomo. Her bill has become the model for the Legislature in the school safetylegislation.
Last, of note, is HB79 and SB192 concerning meetings of school board members. The Senate bill is in the House and the House bill this week was amended to be similar to the Senate version. It is attached for your information. The Senate bill is poised to pass next week.
Federal
House Education and Workforce Chair Virginia Foxx has released letters to Ranking Member Bobby Scott and to the House Appropriations Committee chair requesting support to find funding for school safety. In it, she asks for bi-partisan support. Her press release follows here:
WASHINGTON – Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) today sent a letter to Ranking Member Bobby Scott (D-VA) in response to his February 15th letter requesting a hearing on school safety following the tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.
Chairwoman Foxx informed Ranking Member Scott that she is requesting action from the House Appropriations Committee for school safety measures, and invited his support in seeking that action.
“It is important that we work together to support states and school districts in their efforts to keep America’s students safe,” wrote Chairwoman Foxx to Ranking Member Scott. “As the Committee learned in its February 2013 hearing, school districts and local communities need flexibility in the resources provided to them so they can adopt the tools and practices that will best help them protect their students and provide appropriate supportive services to help prevent tragedies. That is one of the reasons we included the Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants (SSAEG) in the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).”
Chairwoman Foxx concluded, “This week, I am sending the attached letter to key Appropriations Committee leaders requesting that they make funding the SSAEG as authorized in ESSA a top priority. I invite you to join me in sending this letter. Congress worked in a bipartisan, bicameral way to create this flexible funding, and I welcome your partnership so the program may fulfill its purpose.”
For text of the letter to Ranking Member Scott, click here. For text of the letter to Appropriations Committee leaders, click here.
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2/26/18
A busy day today and more tomorrow:
The House Education Committee tomorrow will take up a proposed committee substitute for HB495 that calls for a periodic review of the district cost differential used in the FEFP formula. The PCS substantially expands the scope of the bill to include requirements contained in other bills that have passed committee concerning charter schools and district responsibilities, and language that restores a degree of flexibility back to school districts in expenditure of Title I funds at the district level. The PCS is attached along with the staff explanation and analysis.
The Senate has a brief session in the morning during which the budget conferees could be named to begin conferencing this week. Budget allocations were put on hold last week while House and Senate budget chiefs worked on the safe schools legislation and settled on a cost and revenue source for such--some being recurring and some being non-recurring general revenue. The House can name conferees, but tradition has it done during a floor session which wouldn’t be until Wednesday. If conferees do get underway, they will have until about midnight next Monday to have a signed conference report ready for distribution to members on Tuesday in time for the Constitutionally required 72-hour waiting period...or we could see an extended session or possible special session, the last being least likely at this point. Both House and Senate leaders are saying they can be done with all by March 9th, last day of the regular session..
- Senate Rules Committee approved a Delete Everything (DE) amendment, 9-4, to SB7026 on school safety. Filed only this morning, the new bill encompasses the language of SB7022 on requirements for weapons' purchases and ownership, updated definition on public records, and updated language for school safety including hiring of "school safety officers," and other factors. The DE as adopted is attached along with the pre-meeting staff analyses for 7022/7026 that will be updated tomorrow (see last Friday's update for more). SB7026 now goes to Appropriations tomorrow at 11am (webcast on www.thefloridachannel.org) for further debate and consideration of amendments. The Committee will also approve the bill's funding which is projected to be in excess of $400M.
- House Appropriations tomorrow also considers its safe schools package with the filing of proposed committee bills APC18-06, APC18-07 and APC18-08. The bills are attached. There are a couple of differences such as the House requires an officer in every school, funding is included in the bill and not part of the general appropriations act (GAA) which means it is a stand-alone budgeted bill and not subject to the 72-hour waiting period for regular appropriations, and it has more specificity in the commission's duties that is to review the Parkland shooting during the next 9 months.
The House Education Committee tomorrow will take up a proposed committee substitute for HB495 that calls for a periodic review of the district cost differential used in the FEFP formula. The PCS substantially expands the scope of the bill to include requirements contained in other bills that have passed committee concerning charter schools and district responsibilities, and language that restores a degree of flexibility back to school districts in expenditure of Title I funds at the district level. The PCS is attached along with the staff explanation and analysis.
The Senate has a brief session in the morning during which the budget conferees could be named to begin conferencing this week. Budget allocations were put on hold last week while House and Senate budget chiefs worked on the safe schools legislation and settled on a cost and revenue source for such--some being recurring and some being non-recurring general revenue. The House can name conferees, but tradition has it done during a floor session which wouldn’t be until Wednesday. If conferees do get underway, they will have until about midnight next Monday to have a signed conference report ready for distribution to members on Tuesday in time for the Constitutionally required 72-hour waiting period...or we could see an extended session or possible special session, the last being least likely at this point. Both House and Senate leaders are saying they can be done with all by March 9th, last day of the regular session..
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2/23/18 Part 3
The Senate has just filed three bills that address the points in the joint House/Senate announcement that came out at mid-day today and which follows below. Attached are SB7022 on firearm safety and its staff analysis; SB7024 on pubic records and staff analysis and SB7026 on school safety and staff analysis. Increased funding for school resource officers/safe schools, mental health, etc., is not in the bills and at this point would be part of the regular budget process handled now through joint House-Senate conference since both chambers have already passed their general appropriations bills earlier this month. Somewhere between $400-500 million is the projected cost estimated by the chamber leaders and Governor Scott.
Procedurally, the Senate Rules Committee will take up the bills Monday afternoon for official introduction and consideration. Presuming approval, the three-bill package will be up for presentation, amendment, debate and testimony on Tuesday in Senate Appropriations (along with the Senate version of HB7055). Whatever is approved there will go to the Senate floor, likely on a fast track later in the week.
The House operates under a 24-hour rule as of yesterday (45th day) and we may see similar legislation released Sunday for consideration in a previously scheduled Appropriations Committee meeting Monday.
The joint announcement and link to a two-page overview can be viewed and downloaded here: http://www.flsenate.gov/PublishedContent/Offices/2016-2018/President/Documents/2_23_18_Florida_School_Safety_Proposal.pdf
Procedurally, the Senate Rules Committee will take up the bills Monday afternoon for official introduction and consideration. Presuming approval, the three-bill package will be up for presentation, amendment, debate and testimony on Tuesday in Senate Appropriations (along with the Senate version of HB7055). Whatever is approved there will go to the Senate floor, likely on a fast track later in the week.
The House operates under a 24-hour rule as of yesterday (45th day) and we may see similar legislation released Sunday for consideration in a previously scheduled Appropriations Committee meeting Monday.
The joint announcement and link to a two-page overview can be viewed and downloaded here: http://www.flsenate.gov/PublishedContent/Offices/2016-2018/President/Documents/2_23_18_Florida_School_Safety_Proposal.pdf
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2/23/18 Part 2
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 23, 2018
CONTACT: GOVERNOR'S PRESS OFFICE
(850) 717-9282
media@eog.myflorida.com
Gov. Scott Announces Major Action Plan to Keep Florida Students Safe Following Tragic Parkland Shooting
$500 Million Investment in School Safety and Mental Health
Remarks as Prepared for Delivery
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Alyssa Alhadeff, Scott Beigel, Martin Duque Anguiano, Nicholas Dworet, Aaron Feis, Jamie Guttenberg, Chris Hixon, Luke Hoyer, Cara Loughran, Gina Montalto, Joaquin Oliver, Alaina Petty, Meadow Pollack, Helena Ramsay, Alexander Schachter, Carmen Schentrup, Peter Wang.
Unfortunately, none of the plans I'm announcing today will bring any of them back, but it's important to remember them. The seventeen lives that were cut short and all the hopes and dreams that were ruined have changed our state forever. Florida will never be the same.
Today, I am announcing a major action plan. I will be working with the legislature aggressively over the next two weeks to get it done.
This week we asked law enforcement leaders, education leaders, and health leaders from all over the state to drop what they were doing, clear their schedules, and immediately get up to Tallahassee for urgent conversations about what we can - and must do - to make our schools and communities safer. We must take care of our kids.
I can tell you that everyone said yes, and they came, and they got to work.
I have also spent a lot of time in Parkland meeting with families and students. I've been there nearly every day since the shooting. I have listened to their ideas to make sure this never happens again.
I also met with students who courageously came to Tallahassee to have their voices heard. What we saw in this building on Wednesday is what our democracy is about and why we live in the greatest nation on earth.
My message to them has been very simple - you are not alone. Change is coming. and it will come fast.
This is a time when I believe we must all come together, and even cross party lines. Of course, we won't all agree on every issue, but I do believe this is a moment when our state can come together around a common sense set of actions.
I also want to encourage people to listen to each other and keep listening to each other. I've done a lot more listening than talking this week. Sometimes leading involves more listening than talking.
I've listened to things that I agree with, and to things I don't agree with. It's important to consider all viewpoints.
I've broken my action plan down into three sections. Gun laws, school safety, and mental health. We must get this done in the next two weeks.
First, on guns:
I want to make it virtually impossible for anyone who has mental issues to use a gun. I want to make it virtually impossible for anyone who is a danger to themselves or others to use a gun.
I want to create a new program in Florida - I call it the Violent Threat Restraining Order. This concept is very simple, and very common sense in my view.
This will allow a court to prohibit a violent or mentally ill person from purchasing or possessing a firearm or any other weapon when either a family member, community welfare expert or law enforcement officer files a sworn request, and presents evidence to the court of a threat of violence involving firearms or other weapons. There would be speedy due process for the accused and any fraudulent or false statements would face criminal penalties.
Let's take a moment to look at the case of this killer. This person was not stopped from legally purchasing a weapon, was not arrested, was not detained, and was never forced to turn in his weapons.
Let's review the warning signs here. he had 39 visits from police, his mother called him in, DCF investigated, he was kicked out of school, he was known to students as a danger to shoot people, and he was reported to the FBI last month as a possible school shooter.
And yet, he was never put on the list to be denied the ability to buy a gun, and his guns were never removed from him.
We will also strengthen gun purchase and possession restrictions for mentally ill individuals under the Baker Act. If a court involuntarily commits someone because they are a risk to themselves or others, they would be required to surrender all firearms and not regain their right to purchase or possess a firearm until a court hearing. We are also proposing a minimum 60-day period before individuals can ask a court to restore access to firearms.
Also, we will require all individuals purchasing firearms to be 21 or older. Let me repeat - we will require all individuals purchasing firearms to be 21 or older.
There will be exceptions for active duty and reserve military and spouses, National Guard members, and law enforcement.
Next, we will prohibit a person from possessing or purchasing a firearm if they are subject to an injunction for protection against stalking, cyberstalking, dating violence, repeat violence, sexual violence, or domestic violence.
We will establish enhanced criminal penalties for threats to schools, like social media threats of shootings or bombings. We will also enhance penalties if any person possesses or purchases a gun after they have been deemed by state law to not have access to a gun.
And, we will completely ban the purchase or sale of bump stocks.
The secondpart of my action plan provides $450 million to keep students safe.
Today, I am calling for a mandatory law enforcement officer in every public school. These law enforcement officers must either be sworn sheriff's deputies or police officers and be present during all hours students are on campus.
The size of the campus should be a factor in determining staffing levels by the county sheriff's office, and I am proposing at least one law enforcement officer for every 1,000 students. This must be implemented by the start of the 2018 school year.
We will also provide sheriff's departments the authority to train additional school personnel or reserve law enforcement officers to protect students if requested by the local school board.
And, we will require mandatory active shooter training as outlined by the Department of Homeland Security. All training and code red drills must be completed during the first week of each semester in all public schools. Both faculty and students must participate in active shooter drills and local sheriff's offices must approve and be involved in training.
We are also increasing funding in the Safe Schools Allocation to address specific school safety needs within each school district. This includes school hardening measures like metal detectors, bullet-proof glass, steel doors, and upgraded locks. The Florida Department of Education, with FDLE, will also provide minimum school safety and security standards by July 1st to all school districts.
All school safety plans must be submitted to their county sheriff's office by July 1st each year for approval. Once all plans and requests for school hardening have been approved by the county sheriff's office, in consultation with local police, plans will be forwarded to the Department of Education by the school district to receive any state funds.
School districts must also take all capital outlay funds received from taxpayers and use it for school hardening before it can be spent on any other capital outlay. All safe school allocations must be spent in accordance with the sheriff approved plans.
We will also require each school district that receives a Safe Schools Allocation to enter into an agreement with the local sheriff's office, the Department of Juvenile Justice, the Department of Children and Families, the Department of Law Enforcement and any community behavioral health provider for the purpose of sharing information. That will allow us to better coordinate services in order to provide prevention or intervention strategies.
We will also establish a new, anonymous K-12 "See Something, Say Something" statewide, dedicated hotline, website and mobile app.
Next, we will establish funding to require access to dedicated mental health counselors to provide direct counseling services to students at every school. These counselors cannot serve dual roles, like teaching or academic advising. Every student must have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with a mental health professional, and receive ongoing counseling as needed.
Each school will be required to have a threat assessment team including a teacher, a local law enforcement officer, a human resource officer, a DCF employee, a DJJ employee, and the principal to meet monthly to review any potential threats to students and staff at the school.
Finally, we will require crisis intervention training for all school personnel. This training must be completed before the start of the 2018 school year.
The final part of my action plan includes $50 million in additional funding for mental health initiatives.
We must expand mental health service teams statewide to serve youth and young adults with early or serious mental illness by providing counseling, crisis management and other critical mental health services.
We are also requiring every sheriffs' office to have a DCF case manager embedded in their department to solely work as a crisis welfare worker for repeat cases in the community. This will require 67 additional employees to be hired at DCF by July 15th.
Finally, we will provide law enforcement and mental health coordination matching grants to allow sheriffs to establish special law enforcement teams to coordinate with DCF case managers.
Before I take your questions, I want to close with this.
The goal of this plan of action is to make massive changes in protecting our schools, provide significantly more resources for mental health, and do everything we can to keep guns out of the hands of those dealing with mental problems or threating harm to themselves or others.
I know there are some who are advocating a mass takeaway of 2nd amendment rights for all Americans. That is not the answer.
Keeping guns away from dangerous people and people with mental issues is what we need to do.
I do know that some are going to accuse me of unfairly stigmatizing those who struggle with mental illness. I reject that. I am not asking them to wear a scarlet letter, nor am I unsympathetic to their plight. I have a family member who has dealt with these issues. It is hard on them and it is hard on the family.
But, what I am saying is no one with mental issues should have access to guns.
It's common sense, and it is in their own best interest, not to mention the interests of our communities.
And much of what I'm proposing involves giving law enforcement the ability to stop people from harming themselves and others, while giving them the tools to keep our schools safe.
We know for certain that we cannot simply rely on the current federal background check system.
This killer should not have been able to purchase or even possess a weapon.
And we know that the federal government can't even be counted on to investigate or act on serious and credible threats as we saw with the FBI's complete failure.
It's obvious we can't trust the federal process which is why we have to make these changes here in Florida.
I'm an NRA member, a supporter of the 2nd amendment, and the 1st amendment, and the entire bill of rights for that matter. I'm also a father, and a grandfather, and a Governor.
We all have a difficult task in front of us. balancing our individual rights with our obvious need for public safety.
But of course, some will say it's too much, and some will say it is not enough. I respect everyone's opinion, and I don't ridicule those who disagree with me. An open dialogue is crucial.
But, I will not accept the old, tired political notion that we don't have enough time to get anything done. Government does not have to be slow or lethargic. And when it comes to protecting our schools and our kids, we need to be swift and decisive.
I also understand that I am proposing half a billion dollars for school safety and mental health initiatives.
But let me be clear - there is nothing more important than the safety of our children. Our kids deserve nothing less. Fortunately, our economy is booming, and we have the resources to protect our schools and our students.
And, if providing this funding means we won't be able to cut taxes this year - so be it.
And, if we have to give up some of the projects we all hold near and dear - so be it.
We are all elected to come to Tallahassee to represent the best interests of Floridians. And, today, there is nothing more important than to do all we can to make sure a horrific and evil act like the Parkland shooting never happens again.
To read the Governor's full major action plan, click HERE.
February 23, 2018
CONTACT: GOVERNOR'S PRESS OFFICE
(850) 717-9282
media@eog.myflorida.com
Gov. Scott Announces Major Action Plan to Keep Florida Students Safe Following Tragic Parkland Shooting
$500 Million Investment in School Safety and Mental Health
Remarks as Prepared for Delivery
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Alyssa Alhadeff, Scott Beigel, Martin Duque Anguiano, Nicholas Dworet, Aaron Feis, Jamie Guttenberg, Chris Hixon, Luke Hoyer, Cara Loughran, Gina Montalto, Joaquin Oliver, Alaina Petty, Meadow Pollack, Helena Ramsay, Alexander Schachter, Carmen Schentrup, Peter Wang.
Unfortunately, none of the plans I'm announcing today will bring any of them back, but it's important to remember them. The seventeen lives that were cut short and all the hopes and dreams that were ruined have changed our state forever. Florida will never be the same.
Today, I am announcing a major action plan. I will be working with the legislature aggressively over the next two weeks to get it done.
This week we asked law enforcement leaders, education leaders, and health leaders from all over the state to drop what they were doing, clear their schedules, and immediately get up to Tallahassee for urgent conversations about what we can - and must do - to make our schools and communities safer. We must take care of our kids.
I can tell you that everyone said yes, and they came, and they got to work.
I have also spent a lot of time in Parkland meeting with families and students. I've been there nearly every day since the shooting. I have listened to their ideas to make sure this never happens again.
I also met with students who courageously came to Tallahassee to have their voices heard. What we saw in this building on Wednesday is what our democracy is about and why we live in the greatest nation on earth.
My message to them has been very simple - you are not alone. Change is coming. and it will come fast.
This is a time when I believe we must all come together, and even cross party lines. Of course, we won't all agree on every issue, but I do believe this is a moment when our state can come together around a common sense set of actions.
I also want to encourage people to listen to each other and keep listening to each other. I've done a lot more listening than talking this week. Sometimes leading involves more listening than talking.
I've listened to things that I agree with, and to things I don't agree with. It's important to consider all viewpoints.
I've broken my action plan down into three sections. Gun laws, school safety, and mental health. We must get this done in the next two weeks.
First, on guns:
I want to make it virtually impossible for anyone who has mental issues to use a gun. I want to make it virtually impossible for anyone who is a danger to themselves or others to use a gun.
I want to create a new program in Florida - I call it the Violent Threat Restraining Order. This concept is very simple, and very common sense in my view.
This will allow a court to prohibit a violent or mentally ill person from purchasing or possessing a firearm or any other weapon when either a family member, community welfare expert or law enforcement officer files a sworn request, and presents evidence to the court of a threat of violence involving firearms or other weapons. There would be speedy due process for the accused and any fraudulent or false statements would face criminal penalties.
Let's take a moment to look at the case of this killer. This person was not stopped from legally purchasing a weapon, was not arrested, was not detained, and was never forced to turn in his weapons.
Let's review the warning signs here. he had 39 visits from police, his mother called him in, DCF investigated, he was kicked out of school, he was known to students as a danger to shoot people, and he was reported to the FBI last month as a possible school shooter.
And yet, he was never put on the list to be denied the ability to buy a gun, and his guns were never removed from him.
We will also strengthen gun purchase and possession restrictions for mentally ill individuals under the Baker Act. If a court involuntarily commits someone because they are a risk to themselves or others, they would be required to surrender all firearms and not regain their right to purchase or possess a firearm until a court hearing. We are also proposing a minimum 60-day period before individuals can ask a court to restore access to firearms.
Also, we will require all individuals purchasing firearms to be 21 or older. Let me repeat - we will require all individuals purchasing firearms to be 21 or older.
There will be exceptions for active duty and reserve military and spouses, National Guard members, and law enforcement.
Next, we will prohibit a person from possessing or purchasing a firearm if they are subject to an injunction for protection against stalking, cyberstalking, dating violence, repeat violence, sexual violence, or domestic violence.
We will establish enhanced criminal penalties for threats to schools, like social media threats of shootings or bombings. We will also enhance penalties if any person possesses or purchases a gun after they have been deemed by state law to not have access to a gun.
And, we will completely ban the purchase or sale of bump stocks.
The secondpart of my action plan provides $450 million to keep students safe.
Today, I am calling for a mandatory law enforcement officer in every public school. These law enforcement officers must either be sworn sheriff's deputies or police officers and be present during all hours students are on campus.
The size of the campus should be a factor in determining staffing levels by the county sheriff's office, and I am proposing at least one law enforcement officer for every 1,000 students. This must be implemented by the start of the 2018 school year.
We will also provide sheriff's departments the authority to train additional school personnel or reserve law enforcement officers to protect students if requested by the local school board.
And, we will require mandatory active shooter training as outlined by the Department of Homeland Security. All training and code red drills must be completed during the first week of each semester in all public schools. Both faculty and students must participate in active shooter drills and local sheriff's offices must approve and be involved in training.
We are also increasing funding in the Safe Schools Allocation to address specific school safety needs within each school district. This includes school hardening measures like metal detectors, bullet-proof glass, steel doors, and upgraded locks. The Florida Department of Education, with FDLE, will also provide minimum school safety and security standards by July 1st to all school districts.
All school safety plans must be submitted to their county sheriff's office by July 1st each year for approval. Once all plans and requests for school hardening have been approved by the county sheriff's office, in consultation with local police, plans will be forwarded to the Department of Education by the school district to receive any state funds.
School districts must also take all capital outlay funds received from taxpayers and use it for school hardening before it can be spent on any other capital outlay. All safe school allocations must be spent in accordance with the sheriff approved plans.
We will also require each school district that receives a Safe Schools Allocation to enter into an agreement with the local sheriff's office, the Department of Juvenile Justice, the Department of Children and Families, the Department of Law Enforcement and any community behavioral health provider for the purpose of sharing information. That will allow us to better coordinate services in order to provide prevention or intervention strategies.
We will also establish a new, anonymous K-12 "See Something, Say Something" statewide, dedicated hotline, website and mobile app.
Next, we will establish funding to require access to dedicated mental health counselors to provide direct counseling services to students at every school. These counselors cannot serve dual roles, like teaching or academic advising. Every student must have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with a mental health professional, and receive ongoing counseling as needed.
Each school will be required to have a threat assessment team including a teacher, a local law enforcement officer, a human resource officer, a DCF employee, a DJJ employee, and the principal to meet monthly to review any potential threats to students and staff at the school.
Finally, we will require crisis intervention training for all school personnel. This training must be completed before the start of the 2018 school year.
The final part of my action plan includes $50 million in additional funding for mental health initiatives.
We must expand mental health service teams statewide to serve youth and young adults with early or serious mental illness by providing counseling, crisis management and other critical mental health services.
We are also requiring every sheriffs' office to have a DCF case manager embedded in their department to solely work as a crisis welfare worker for repeat cases in the community. This will require 67 additional employees to be hired at DCF by July 15th.
Finally, we will provide law enforcement and mental health coordination matching grants to allow sheriffs to establish special law enforcement teams to coordinate with DCF case managers.
Before I take your questions, I want to close with this.
The goal of this plan of action is to make massive changes in protecting our schools, provide significantly more resources for mental health, and do everything we can to keep guns out of the hands of those dealing with mental problems or threating harm to themselves or others.
I know there are some who are advocating a mass takeaway of 2nd amendment rights for all Americans. That is not the answer.
Keeping guns away from dangerous people and people with mental issues is what we need to do.
I do know that some are going to accuse me of unfairly stigmatizing those who struggle with mental illness. I reject that. I am not asking them to wear a scarlet letter, nor am I unsympathetic to their plight. I have a family member who has dealt with these issues. It is hard on them and it is hard on the family.
But, what I am saying is no one with mental issues should have access to guns.
It's common sense, and it is in their own best interest, not to mention the interests of our communities.
And much of what I'm proposing involves giving law enforcement the ability to stop people from harming themselves and others, while giving them the tools to keep our schools safe.
We know for certain that we cannot simply rely on the current federal background check system.
This killer should not have been able to purchase or even possess a weapon.
And we know that the federal government can't even be counted on to investigate or act on serious and credible threats as we saw with the FBI's complete failure.
It's obvious we can't trust the federal process which is why we have to make these changes here in Florida.
I'm an NRA member, a supporter of the 2nd amendment, and the 1st amendment, and the entire bill of rights for that matter. I'm also a father, and a grandfather, and a Governor.
We all have a difficult task in front of us. balancing our individual rights with our obvious need for public safety.
But of course, some will say it's too much, and some will say it is not enough. I respect everyone's opinion, and I don't ridicule those who disagree with me. An open dialogue is crucial.
But, I will not accept the old, tired political notion that we don't have enough time to get anything done. Government does not have to be slow or lethargic. And when it comes to protecting our schools and our kids, we need to be swift and decisive.
I also understand that I am proposing half a billion dollars for school safety and mental health initiatives.
But let me be clear - there is nothing more important than the safety of our children. Our kids deserve nothing less. Fortunately, our economy is booming, and we have the resources to protect our schools and our students.
And, if providing this funding means we won't be able to cut taxes this year - so be it.
And, if we have to give up some of the projects we all hold near and dear - so be it.
We are all elected to come to Tallahassee to represent the best interests of Floridians. And, today, there is nothing more important than to do all we can to make sure a horrific and evil act like the Parkland shooting never happens again.
To read the Governor's full major action plan, click HERE.
2/23/18 Part 1
Florida Senate President Joe Negron, Speaker Richard Corcoran and other key legislative leaders today announced plans verbally for pending bills to be considered next week. The specific legislation will be released at some point between now and Monday.
Not citing specific dollar amounts, the proposals are similar to what Governor Scott released earlier today. Called the "School Marshall" plan with a slogan "never again", some key points outlined include:
The joint press conference is being re-run on www.thefloridachannel.org.
Senate Democrats, meanwhile, plan to continue to push for a ban on assault weapons. The Wednesday press release is here.
Not citing specific dollar amounts, the proposals are similar to what Governor Scott released earlier today. Called the "School Marshall" plan with a slogan "never again", some key points outlined include:
- raising the age to 21 and a 3-day waiting period for purchase of all firearms in Florida except for military and law enforcement personnel or those with a concealed permit or equivalent training through the Florida wildlife department;
- ban "bump stocks" in Florida;
- revising provisions and sharing of information concerning the Baker Act involuntary mental health review;
- increasing the number of school resource officers; harden school facilities, thoroughly train school personnel, and provide for active shooter and hostage drills for teachers and students;
- revise school safety and security policies at the local law enforcement and school district level;
- set up a multi-agency network that requires districts to designate school safety specialists and conduct threat assessments;
- create a statewide commission to investigate the Parkland and other shooting incidents across Florida to determine the failures and make recommendations for correction;
- allow licensed law enforcement officers who are also teachers to carry a concealed weapon on campus in the event of a shooting action--this would be voluntary for school boards to do;
- increase and improve mental health training.
The joint press conference is being re-run on www.thefloridachannel.org.
Senate Democrats, meanwhile, plan to continue to push for a ban on assault weapons. The Wednesday press release is here.
2/22/18
As Day 45 arrived today in Tallahassee's regular session, the perennial jitters of whether the Legislature will finish on time has bubbled up. While both chambers passed their budgets on February 8th, there has been no naming of conference committee members nor any public (at least) discussions between the two. Published reports surfaced that nothing or very little is occurring behind the scenes as well.
That likely is partly true as the Governor and Senate are expected to release proposals tomorrow dealing with school safety and at a cost which may require going into state reserves for next year. Until there is general consensus on that, necessary budget allocations, particularly in education, are likely on hold, hence no apparent movement toward resolving differences. In Education, there are major dollar differences between the chambers in higher education and K-12.
Following Tuesday's series of school safety meetings organized by Governor Scott and his staff, the Governor has met with numerous legislators and state agency staff. Between him and work being done by Senators Bill Galvano and Wilton Simpson, we look for recommendations that may include increased mental health counseling, follow-through on what happens after a student or other person has been released from a Baker Act mental health evaluation, increased funding for school resource officers, mandatory school drills for shooting actions, required interagency sharing of data and information, stiffer background checks and waiting period for weapon purchasers, and legislation similar to SB1236 that calls for specially-trained volunteers or employees to carry a concealed weapon on campus in the event of an action, and abolishment of schools as gun-free zones. We'll forward the Governor's recommendations and what we believe will be a proposed committee bill for Senate Appropriations to consider next Tuesday as they are posted.
Meanwhile, some bills of note are moving. Attached is the Senate "Delete Everything" amendment to House Bill 7055 that was filed last yesterday. The amendment and will are slated to be heard next Tuesday. The Senate differs in several areas. A draft summary done by FADSS' Joy Frank is attached along with the DE.
The House also has tacked the K-12 audit/budget reporting language of HB1279 (that passed the House yesterday 109-5) to HB323 and HB7073 (a DE amendment today). Both are attached as well. And, for review by district legal representatives and anyone involved in ethics, is a copy of HB7007 that is on the House calendar awaiting floor action. The accompanying staff analyses are also attached.
This weekend I'll have an updated chart of bills moving or about to move between chambers as we enter the last two scheduled weeks of this session. Unless specially called, substantive committees such as education have ended. Appropriations are set for Monday in the House and Tuesday in the Senate, but more meetings can be called on short notice.
That likely is partly true as the Governor and Senate are expected to release proposals tomorrow dealing with school safety and at a cost which may require going into state reserves for next year. Until there is general consensus on that, necessary budget allocations, particularly in education, are likely on hold, hence no apparent movement toward resolving differences. In Education, there are major dollar differences between the chambers in higher education and K-12.
Following Tuesday's series of school safety meetings organized by Governor Scott and his staff, the Governor has met with numerous legislators and state agency staff. Between him and work being done by Senators Bill Galvano and Wilton Simpson, we look for recommendations that may include increased mental health counseling, follow-through on what happens after a student or other person has been released from a Baker Act mental health evaluation, increased funding for school resource officers, mandatory school drills for shooting actions, required interagency sharing of data and information, stiffer background checks and waiting period for weapon purchasers, and legislation similar to SB1236 that calls for specially-trained volunteers or employees to carry a concealed weapon on campus in the event of an action, and abolishment of schools as gun-free zones. We'll forward the Governor's recommendations and what we believe will be a proposed committee bill for Senate Appropriations to consider next Tuesday as they are posted.
Meanwhile, some bills of note are moving. Attached is the Senate "Delete Everything" amendment to House Bill 7055 that was filed last yesterday. The amendment and will are slated to be heard next Tuesday. The Senate differs in several areas. A draft summary done by FADSS' Joy Frank is attached along with the DE.
The House also has tacked the K-12 audit/budget reporting language of HB1279 (that passed the House yesterday 109-5) to HB323 and HB7073 (a DE amendment today). Both are attached as well. And, for review by district legal representatives and anyone involved in ethics, is a copy of HB7007 that is on the House calendar awaiting floor action. The accompanying staff analyses are also attached.
This weekend I'll have an updated chart of bills moving or about to move between chambers as we enter the last two scheduled weeks of this session. Unless specially called, substantive committees such as education have ended. Appropriations are set for Monday in the House and Tuesday in the Senate, but more meetings can be called on short notice.
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2/16/18
Briefly:
- Senate Education Chair Dorothy Hukill filed late today what amounts to be the starting Senate version of HB7055. The "strike-all" amendment contains the contents in part of in whole of SB1434 passed Wednesday in Senate Ed Appropriations; SB1172 concerning the Hope Scholarship and a consolidation and expansion of accountability requirements for private school scholarships; HB25 that requires a union having fewer than 50% of qualifying employees as members to seek recertification as the bargaining agent, SB732 concerning home education requirements of school districts, SB88 on financial literacy, and parts of SB2508 which was to be the original Senate budget conforming bill. The Strike-all is attached for your review It will be heard at 11am on Tuesday in Senate Education. There likely will be various amendments filed to this amendment between now and Monday that will also be considered Tuesday. We are still reviewing the 115-page amendment over the weekend for other posible provisions;
- A number of responses have come forward since Wednesday's tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High in Parkland. Among them so far: push by Senate President-Designate Bill Galvano to provide upwards of $100 million o school districts for safety and mental health programs; scheduled hearing in Senate Judiciary Tuesday of SB1236 that provides a principal or superintendent with the option of having a volunteer or employee with specialized training to be on school grounds with a concealed weapon in the event of a shooting action; and Rep. Robert Asencio who has filed an amendment to HB1279 that calls for a $78M appropriation to establish a a School Safety Grant Program to employ law enforcement officers and mental health specialists. The amendment is attached. The bill is on the House floor "Special Order" calendar for next Tuesday. There is substantial national discussion occurring on issues: gun control and mental health services. Congress provided significant funding through a categorical federal safe schools program that was abolished during the last recession. We look for more responses to come;
- The updated tracking chart of bills that are getting full chamber consideration or have passed to the other chamber is attached.
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2/15/18
While committees have ended for the week and both chambers canceled their scheduled floor sessions this week, eyes are fixed on pending announcement of budget allocations that will be used by joint House/Senate budget conferees who should start meeting next week (week 7). As forwarded to you last week, the Economic, Demographic Research (EDR) office completed its updates on projected K-12 students for next year and the General Revenue (GR) estimating conference last Friday that projects an additional $50 million or so each of the next two years to last year's EDR estimates. While revenues increase at a modest rate, the concern by budget writers is Florida's fixed or essential costs, especially in healthcare, are rising at a faster pace. For those closely following the education portion of the budget (Sections One and Two of the General Appropriations Act or GAA), there were no changes affecting the Florida Education Finance Program. If this year follows last, conferees will begin their public meetings toward the middle to end of next week with an absolute completion date of March 6th to have a GAA on members' desks (actually on line these days) for the mandatory 72-hour waiting period and a vote before midnight, March 9th, when the session is slated to end sine die.
Meanwhile, bills that affect the budget continue to move. Most recently, the Senate Prek-12 Education Appropriations Committee unanimously passed a Prposed Committee Substitute for SB1434 that expands the content of the bill in several areas. The PCB and updated staff analysis are attached and should be read carefully by staff. Starting as a $40 million mental health bill by Chair Kathleen Passidomo, the bill contains several sections that relate to issues contained in HB7055 that passed the House last week. The bill:
Amendments added yesterday:
Meanwhile, the House Education Committee today approved HB1031 which would place a constitutional amendment on November's ballot to limit school board terms to 8 years, starting with the November election. Similar legislation in the Senate provides for a 12-year term limit. The House Committee also approved an expanded version of HB827 by Rep. Byron Donalds on instructional materials by amending a couple of sections of other bills onto it. In doing so, it has become a "mini-train" of sorts. The bill and its staff explanation are attached for more detail. Its companion, SB1644, was approved in Senate Education Monday and is now in Rules Committee, containing different language. Both HB1031 and HB827 will now go to the House floor for further deliberation.
Meanwhile, bills that affect the budget continue to move. Most recently, the Senate Prek-12 Education Appropriations Committee unanimously passed a Prposed Committee Substitute for SB1434 that expands the content of the bill in several areas. The PCB and updated staff analysis are attached and should be read carefully by staff. Starting as a $40 million mental health bill by Chair Kathleen Passidomo, the bill contains several sections that relate to issues contained in HB7055 that passed the House last week. The bill:
- Creates the mental health assistance allocation within the Florida Education Finance Program (FEFP) to provide funds for school-based mental health programs and establishes related requirements.
- Establishes the hope supplemental services allocation within the FEFP to provide schools implementing a district-managed turnaround plan or a turnaround option specified in law with funds to offer services designed to improve the overall academic and community welfare of the schools’ students and their families.
- Strengthens school improvement and accountability measures by:
o Providing that a school must complete two years of a district-managed turnaround plan before the school is designated as persistently low-performing and required to implement a turnaround option.
o Expanding the turnaround options available to a school district for a persistently low-performing school to include a franchise model school that is led by a specified highly effective principal. - Revises school of hope provisions to require a hope operator to submit a notice of intent containing an operations plan specifying the hope operator’s intent to undertake the operations of the persistently low-performing school and incentivizes a hope operator to establish a school of hope at the district-owned facilities of the persistently low-performing school.
- Modifies the eligibility requirements and calculation methodology for specified charter school capital outlay provisions and revises the amount of discretionary millage that a school district may expend for specified purposes.
- Renames the Collegiate High School Program as the Structured High School Acceleration Program and creates a bonus funding mechanism to incentivize school district and college interest in expanding programs.
- Clarifies that school districts may construct or renovate facilities without a survey recommendation when using funds from specified local revenue sources
- The bill creates three new funding categoricals within the FEFP for which SB 2500, the General Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2018-2109, appropriates $184.8 million. SB 2500 appropriates $40 million for the mental health assistance allocation, $88,049,710 for the hope supplemental services allocation, and $56,783,293 for the funding compression allocation.
Amendments added yesterday:
- Allows a charter school to defer opening for up to 3 years, rather than two.
- Revises the criteria determining a high-quality charter school by also allowing a school that receives two consecutive grades of “A” to be determined a high-performing charter school.
- Provides that it is the intent of the Legislature that the public interest be protected by prohibiting personal financial enrichment by owners, operators, managers, and other affiliated parties of charter schools.
- Establishes the funding compression allocation to provide additional funding to school districts and developmental research schools whose total funds per full-time equivalent (FTE) in the prior year were less than the statewide average.
- Clarifies that school districts may construct or renovate facilities without a survey recommendation when using funds from specified local revenue sources.
- Expands the available exceptions a district school board may adopt to include any other provisions in the State Requirements for Educational Facilities (SREF) that limit the ability of a school to operate in a facility on the same basis as a charter school.
- Removes the three year provision of Best and Brightest Scholarships for teachers rated as highly effective and effective, without documentation of the required SAT or ACT score.
- Clarifies that when districts distribute Title I funds to schools above the 75 percent poverty threshold, the 75 percent may include high schools above the 50 percent threshold as permitted by federal law.
- Authorizes a school district to withhold a necessary and reasonable amount of Title I funds to provide:
o Extended learning opportunities, such as summer school, before-school and after-school programs, and additional class periods of instruction during the school day; and
o Supplemental academic and enrichment services, staff development, and planning and curriculum, as well as wrap-around services
Meanwhile, the House Education Committee today approved HB1031 which would place a constitutional amendment on November's ballot to limit school board terms to 8 years, starting with the November election. Similar legislation in the Senate provides for a 12-year term limit. The House Committee also approved an expanded version of HB827 by Rep. Byron Donalds on instructional materials by amending a couple of sections of other bills onto it. In doing so, it has become a "mini-train" of sorts. The bill and its staff explanation are attached for more detail. Its companion, SB1644, was approved in Senate Education Monday and is now in Rules Committee, containing different language. Both HB1031 and HB827 will now go to the House floor for further deliberation.
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2/12/18
Federal
U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos today announced President Trump's education budget recommendations for FY19 (our 19-20 school year). Overall, the recommendations are very close to what the administration requested last year for FY18 (our 18-19 school year). The press release and accompanying backup is available here. The detailed budget recommendations are here.
Among the provisions are:
No date has been set for when the President's US-Ed budget will be heard by appropriators. It could be combined with the current six week deadline to finish FY18.
State
Eyes and ears are awaiting word on the level of allocations that joint House/Senate budget conferees will have and for the conference committee ritual to begin. No word today, but most observers feel little will be done publicly this week which is Week 6 of the 9-week session.
Meanwhile, the Senate Education Committee passed SB188, that would change the minimum distance for student transportation from 2 miles to 1.5 miles. While approved, numerous members expressed concern about the estimated price tags of the bill--including additional school bus purchases and hiring of additional drivers--and said they may have to reconsider their vote at a later stop. The bill goes next to appropriations committees. The House version has not been heard yet.
The Committee also passed SB1644 that seeks to allow public input on pending instructional material recommendations at the state level before they are adopted. The bill goes to Senate Rules next. A similar bill, HB827, is waiting further action in House Education.
U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos today announced President Trump's education budget recommendations for FY19 (our 19-20 school year). Overall, the recommendations are very close to what the administration requested last year for FY18 (our 18-19 school year). The press release and accompanying backup is available here. The detailed budget recommendations are here.
Among the provisions are:
- level funding Title I of Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA);
- eliminate funding for Title II, part A for staff development;
- collapse or eliminate 39 other grant-based programs in ESSA;
- Providing $1 billion in parental choice Grants in separate programs;
- level funding Perkins Career and Vocational Education Programs;
- Increasing the percentage a state can keep for statewide educational supplemental programs from 3 to 5%; and
- Increasing by $160M to $500M the funding for start-up charter schools.
- The proposed budget represents a $3.6B or 5% cut from current year to $63.2 billion in total education discretionary dollars; That compares with last year's recommendation that would have meant a 13% or $9 billion reduction.
No date has been set for when the President's US-Ed budget will be heard by appropriators. It could be combined with the current six week deadline to finish FY18.
State
Eyes and ears are awaiting word on the level of allocations that joint House/Senate budget conferees will have and for the conference committee ritual to begin. No word today, but most observers feel little will be done publicly this week which is Week 6 of the 9-week session.
Meanwhile, the Senate Education Committee passed SB188, that would change the minimum distance for student transportation from 2 miles to 1.5 miles. While approved, numerous members expressed concern about the estimated price tags of the bill--including additional school bus purchases and hiring of additional drivers--and said they may have to reconsider their vote at a later stop. The bill goes next to appropriations committees. The House version has not been heard yet.
The Committee also passed SB1644 that seeks to allow public input on pending instructional material recommendations at the state level before they are adopted. The bill goes to Senate Rules next. A similar bill, HB827, is waiting further action in House Education.
2/9/18
State
Except for one significant action, the House and Senate late today voted out their respective FY19 appropriations package, setting the stage to begin conference committee work to resolve differences as early as next week. The House Passed HB5001 (General Appropriations Act--GAA--on an 85-27 vote and sent the bill immediately to the Senate. Procedurally, the Senate took up HB5001, stripped off the House plan substituted its GAA version (SB2500) and sent it back on a 33-1 vote to the House and formally agreed to the joint conference.
Both chambers handled the necessary implementing bill, HB5003/SB2502 in similar fashion by 84-26 and 33-1 votes, respectively. Last, the bill setting the Florida Retirement System (FRS) employer rates was actually approved by both chambers today and will go to the Governor. Both chambers' bills were identical. Approved is HB5007. We'll forward the official "enrolled" copy as soon as it is posted.
Not exactly in clear "play" is the conforming bill for Prek-12 education. Following a lengthy debate that can be accessed here (click on February 8; bill action starts a little less than 4 hours into the meeting), the House voted out HB7055 on a 66-43 vote (mostly partisan although five Republicans joined Democrats in voting no). This is the 198-page omnibus that the House has tied to HB5001. It is important to note that the Senate has not taken up a conforming bill on the floor. During a series of meetings involving school board members and legislators today, it became clear the Senate plans to have bills similar in content to those rolled into HB7055 heard in committee and stand on their merit. Included, for example, would be SB1172 (Hope Scholarship) that is similar to HB1; SB1820 (Reading scholarship) for HB7055's language, and so on. Many Senators felt "burned" last year when HB7069 was sent over at the last minute by the House with an ultimatum to pass it or the House would not approve the budget conference report. HB7069l contained language of bills never heard in the Senate or, in one case, a bill that had been defeated in Senate committee.
No significant changes were made to FEFP funding or budget language. We should have at least one chamber's official FEFP run and "engrossed" (as passed by the full chamber) versions sometime tomorrow and I'll forward them to you.
Meanwhile, Senate Education Appropriations had a full slate of bills. A quick list of actions follows here. we'll have an updated bill chart during in the next day or two:
Bill text, amendments and staff analyses are available at www.flsenate.gov.
Federal
At this hour, non-essential services of the federal government are technically shut down for the second time in two weeks. Senate leaders are hoping it will be a matter of hours and that the Senate and House will pass a two-year plan by 6am that would increase funding for both defense and domestic programs. Opposition has been announced from two corners, however: Republicans who oppose federal debt expansion that the bill would cause and Democrats who want a deal connected with continuation of DACA, "Dreamers Act." No doubt our wake-up radio and TV stations will have more on this in a few hours. If this agreement is approved, it could mean proposed cuts to Prek-12 and workforce education may be averted for our 2018-2019 fiscal year, albeit with deficit spending federally. Our current year programs through June 30th are not impacted.
Except for one significant action, the House and Senate late today voted out their respective FY19 appropriations package, setting the stage to begin conference committee work to resolve differences as early as next week. The House Passed HB5001 (General Appropriations Act--GAA--on an 85-27 vote and sent the bill immediately to the Senate. Procedurally, the Senate took up HB5001, stripped off the House plan substituted its GAA version (SB2500) and sent it back on a 33-1 vote to the House and formally agreed to the joint conference.
Both chambers handled the necessary implementing bill, HB5003/SB2502 in similar fashion by 84-26 and 33-1 votes, respectively. Last, the bill setting the Florida Retirement System (FRS) employer rates was actually approved by both chambers today and will go to the Governor. Both chambers' bills were identical. Approved is HB5007. We'll forward the official "enrolled" copy as soon as it is posted.
Not exactly in clear "play" is the conforming bill for Prek-12 education. Following a lengthy debate that can be accessed here (click on February 8; bill action starts a little less than 4 hours into the meeting), the House voted out HB7055 on a 66-43 vote (mostly partisan although five Republicans joined Democrats in voting no). This is the 198-page omnibus that the House has tied to HB5001. It is important to note that the Senate has not taken up a conforming bill on the floor. During a series of meetings involving school board members and legislators today, it became clear the Senate plans to have bills similar in content to those rolled into HB7055 heard in committee and stand on their merit. Included, for example, would be SB1172 (Hope Scholarship) that is similar to HB1; SB1820 (Reading scholarship) for HB7055's language, and so on. Many Senators felt "burned" last year when HB7069 was sent over at the last minute by the House with an ultimatum to pass it or the House would not approve the budget conference report. HB7069l contained language of bills never heard in the Senate or, in one case, a bill that had been defeated in Senate committee.
No significant changes were made to FEFP funding or budget language. We should have at least one chamber's official FEFP run and "engrossed" (as passed by the full chamber) versions sometime tomorrow and I'll forward them to you.
Meanwhile, Senate Education Appropriations had a full slate of bills. A quick list of actions follows here. we'll have an updated bill chart during in the next day or two:
- SB 0654 Early Childhood Music Education Incentive Pilot Program (Perry), Favorable with CS by Appropriations Subcommittee on Pre-K - 12 Education; 8 Yeas, 0 Nays
- SB 0732 K-12 Education (Baxley), Favorable with CS by Appropriations Subcommittee on Pre-K - 12 Education; 8 Yeas, 0 Nays
- SB 0856 High School Graduation Requirements (Montford), Favorable by Appropriations Subcommittee on Pre-K - 12 Education; 8 Yeas, 0 Nays
- SB 0996 Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in Public Schools (Mayfield), Favorable by Appropriations Subcommittee on Pre-K - 12 Education; 8 Yeas, 0 Nays
- SB 1056 Computer Science Instruction (Passidomo), Favorable with CS by Appropriations Subcommittee on Pre-K - 12 Education; 8 Yeas, 0 Nays
- SB 1090 Enrollment of Dependent Children of Active Duty Military Personnel in the Florida Virtual School (Young), Favorable by Appropriations Subcommittee on Pre-K - 12 Education; 8 Yeas, 0 Nays
- SB 1172 Hope Scholarship Program (Galvano), Favorable with CS by Appropriations Subcommittee on Pre-K - 12 Education; 6 Yeas, 2 Nays
- SB 1286 Gardiner Scholarship (Simmons), Favorable by Appropriations Subcommittee on Pre-K - 12 Education; 7 Yeas, 1 Nay
- SB 1306 Reading Instruction (Perry), Favorable by Appropriations Subcommittee on Pre-K - 12 Education; 8 Yeas, 0 Nays
- SB 1532 Early Learning Coalitions (Stargel), Favorable by Appropriations Subcommittee on Pre-K - 12 Education; 8 Yeas, 0 Nays
- SB 1756 School Accountability (Simmons), Favorable with CS by Appropriations Subcommittee on Pre-K - 12 Education; 8 Yeas, 0 Nays
Bill text, amendments and staff analyses are available at www.flsenate.gov.
Federal
At this hour, non-essential services of the federal government are technically shut down for the second time in two weeks. Senate leaders are hoping it will be a matter of hours and that the Senate and House will pass a two-year plan by 6am that would increase funding for both defense and domestic programs. Opposition has been announced from two corners, however: Republicans who oppose federal debt expansion that the bill would cause and Democrats who want a deal connected with continuation of DACA, "Dreamers Act." No doubt our wake-up radio and TV stations will have more on this in a few hours. If this agreement is approved, it could mean proposed cuts to Prek-12 and workforce education may be averted for our 2018-2019 fiscal year, albeit with deficit spending federally. Our current year programs through June 30th are not impacted.
2/7/18
Federal
Published reports tonight indicate a potential 2-year budget deal with enough Senate and House support to pursue a vote tomorrow before the current budget Continuing Resolution expires at midnight, posing a government shutdown of non-essential services.
The deal breaks the 2011 Budget Reconciliation Act by funding defense spending an additional $80 billion, domestic spending increasing by $63B and another $90B for infrastructure and recovery costs associated with hurricanes last year including Florida. It also includes $6B to fight the opioid crisis and better fund mental health programs.
The domestic increase was not broken down by specific area such as aid for Prek-12 education.
The proposal does not include any resolution on the DACA "Dreamers' Act" or related immigration issues.
State
The House and Senate readied their budget bills today in handling questions and numerous amendments. No changes were made to the Florida Education Finance Program (FEFP). However, the Senate "implementing bill," SB2502, was amended to include sections from SB2508 related to low performing schools and Hope schools educational services. SB2502 is attached for your review. With questions and amendments done, the chambers tomorrow will hold debate and final votes. The bills on the docket at this point include:
Of Note today was a series of bills on House Education Committee agenda. All passed except HB1031 concerning school board member term limits which was postponed until next week's meeting due to lack of time. Attention focused on HB1, the new proposed student scholarship (voucher) program for students who have been bullied or assaulted and resolution is not to the parent's satisfaction in a specific timeline. Four amendments were approved to the bill which includes voucher accountability requirements similar to those already in a Senate bill and which would be uniform for this scholarship, Florida Tax Credit, McKay and Gardiner scholarships.
HB 0001 The Hope Scholarship Program (Donalds)
HB 0515 Offenses Against Student Safety (White)
HB 0731 Home Education (Sullivan)
HB 0839 The Display of the State Motto (Daniels)
HB 0887 Reading Instruction (Harrell)
HB 1031 Limitation on Terms of Office for Members of a District School Board (Fischer)
HB 1201 Education for Prisoners (Ahern)
HB 1279 School District Accountability (Sullivan)
HB 1391 Sexual Offenses Against Students (Rodrigues (R))
Latest version, amendments and staff analyses are available at www.myfloridahouse.gov.
Published reports tonight indicate a potential 2-year budget deal with enough Senate and House support to pursue a vote tomorrow before the current budget Continuing Resolution expires at midnight, posing a government shutdown of non-essential services.
The deal breaks the 2011 Budget Reconciliation Act by funding defense spending an additional $80 billion, domestic spending increasing by $63B and another $90B for infrastructure and recovery costs associated with hurricanes last year including Florida. It also includes $6B to fight the opioid crisis and better fund mental health programs.
The domestic increase was not broken down by specific area such as aid for Prek-12 education.
The proposal does not include any resolution on the DACA "Dreamers' Act" or related immigration issues.
State
The House and Senate readied their budget bills today in handling questions and numerous amendments. No changes were made to the Florida Education Finance Program (FEFP). However, the Senate "implementing bill," SB2502, was amended to include sections from SB2508 related to low performing schools and Hope schools educational services. SB2502 is attached for your review. With questions and amendments done, the chambers tomorrow will hold debate and final votes. The bills on the docket at this point include:
- HB5001 and SB2500, the General Appropriations Act (GAA)
- HB5003 and SB2502, the implementing bills
- HB5007 and SB7014, the FRS employer rate bills
- HB7055, the 198-page onmibus bill that the House is using as a budget bill and whose passing is tied to the GAA by language in the bill (amendment to remove that nexus failed on the floor)
Of Note today was a series of bills on House Education Committee agenda. All passed except HB1031 concerning school board member term limits which was postponed until next week's meeting due to lack of time. Attention focused on HB1, the new proposed student scholarship (voucher) program for students who have been bullied or assaulted and resolution is not to the parent's satisfaction in a specific timeline. Four amendments were approved to the bill which includes voucher accountability requirements similar to those already in a Senate bill and which would be uniform for this scholarship, Florida Tax Credit, McKay and Gardiner scholarships.
HB 0001 The Hope Scholarship Program (Donalds)
HB 0515 Offenses Against Student Safety (White)
HB 0731 Home Education (Sullivan)
HB 0839 The Display of the State Motto (Daniels)
HB 0887 Reading Instruction (Harrell)
HB 1031 Limitation on Terms of Office for Members of a District School Board (Fischer)
HB 1201 Education for Prisoners (Ahern)
HB 1279 School District Accountability (Sullivan)
HB 1391 Sexual Offenses Against Students (Rodrigues (R))
Latest version, amendments and staff analyses are available at www.myfloridahouse.gov.
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2/4/18
Attached are two updated bill charts: 2018 Bills (30 at this point) that have made it through committee assignments and are now on the House or Senate floor calendar or gone to the other chamber; and a larger number (107) that include the first set plus bills being moving through one or more committees. These are taken from a master chart of over 400 filed during Session.
I've also taken the liberty, thanks to Joy Frank and her intern team, to forward a section-by-section breakdown of SB2508, the Senate budget conforming bill onto which has been amended much of SB1434. It will be this bill that will be used in conference to work out differences with HB7055. They are significantly different even in common topics such as the Hope scholarship, school improvement for D and F-rated schools, independent schools vs franchise schools, etc. Both SB2508 and HB7055 are on each respective chamber's floor calendar for amendment, debate and vote this week, along with the General Appropriations Act (HB5001/SB2500; Implementing bill (HB5003/SB2502 and FRS retirement (HB5007/SB7014. Because the House is the budget "manager" chairing the joint conference process, the final budget documents will use the House bill numbers.
Meanwhile, in Washington, the latest Continuing Resolution that has extended the FY17 federal budget from last September 30th is set to expire this Thursday, February 8th. We are not hearing any significant movement on key issues such as appropriations for either defense or domestic spending including K!2 education, nor on the DACA legislation that President Trump addressed last week and for which House/Senate Democrats are attempted to hold up the budget until agreement is reached. In the air this weekend is the likelihood of a fifth CR extension to March 22nd to buy time in resolving all issues. The CR means federal agencies operate at the same dollar level as they had for 2016-2017.
I've also taken the liberty, thanks to Joy Frank and her intern team, to forward a section-by-section breakdown of SB2508, the Senate budget conforming bill onto which has been amended much of SB1434. It will be this bill that will be used in conference to work out differences with HB7055. They are significantly different even in common topics such as the Hope scholarship, school improvement for D and F-rated schools, independent schools vs franchise schools, etc. Both SB2508 and HB7055 are on each respective chamber's floor calendar for amendment, debate and vote this week, along with the General Appropriations Act (HB5001/SB2500; Implementing bill (HB5003/SB2502 and FRS retirement (HB5007/SB7014. Because the House is the budget "manager" chairing the joint conference process, the final budget documents will use the House bill numbers.
Meanwhile, in Washington, the latest Continuing Resolution that has extended the FY17 federal budget from last September 30th is set to expire this Thursday, February 8th. We are not hearing any significant movement on key issues such as appropriations for either defense or domestic spending including K!2 education, nor on the DACA legislation that President Trump addressed last week and for which House/Senate Democrats are attempted to hold up the budget until agreement is reached. In the air this weekend is the likelihood of a fifth CR extension to March 22nd to buy time in resolving all issues. The CR means federal agencies operate at the same dollar level as they had for 2016-2017.
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2/1/18
House and Senate budget documents have been released following yesterday's [1/31/18] appropriations committees' actions in each chamber. The Senate also has released a full FEFP district "run" which is attached for your review, along with last week's House run, for your comparison by district, that has not changed.
At this point, we do not look for any changes to either budget on Prek-12 funding next week.
Meanwhile, the committee structure of the Constitutional Revision Commission has mostly finished work on proposals that will now go to the full Commission shortly. See last night's Update for a schedule of the public hearings slated so far, beginning with one in Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday. All information and actions on proposals are available at www.flcrc.org. The Education Committee ended today by voting down Proposal #30 on disabilities after hearing legal concerns about its wording, and voted up Proposal 10 on a 4-2 vote to make the teaching of civic education a constitutional requirement.
- General Appropriations Act (GAA) containing proviso language, Sections One and Two of particular interest to Prek-12 through higher ed; SB2500 here andHB5001 here.
- Implementing Bills that by law reference the FEFP run as the official work paper for distribution of funds; SB2502 here and HB5003 here.
- FRS Retirement rate bills for employers; SB7014 here and HB5007 here.
- Conforming bills that "conform" the statute in order for the appropriations to be carried out; SB2508 here and HB5101 here.
- HB7055 that the House has placed as an education budget bill. This is the 198-page omnibus bill. As passed by Appropriations it is here and the accompanyingstaff analysis is here (previously sent earlier this week.
At this point, we do not look for any changes to either budget on Prek-12 funding next week.
Meanwhile, the committee structure of the Constitutional Revision Commission has mostly finished work on proposals that will now go to the full Commission shortly. See last night's Update for a schedule of the public hearings slated so far, beginning with one in Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday. All information and actions on proposals are available at www.flcrc.org. The Education Committee ended today by voting down Proposal #30 on disabilities after hearing legal concerns about its wording, and voted up Proposal 10 on a 4-2 vote to make the teaching of civic education a constitutional requirement.
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