• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Submit News
  • Contact Us

Capital Soup

Florida News Straight From the Source

  • Featured
  • Leaders
  • Government
  • Industry
  • Education
  • Opinion
You are here: Home / Archives for Featured

Featured

Senate Budget Prioritizes Education

Posted on March 30, 2017

Unprecedented K-12 Per Student Funding, Key Investments in Higher Education

More than $3 Billion in Reserves, Historic Investments in Need and Merit-Based Financial Aid

The Florida Senate Committee on Appropriations, chaired by Senator Jack Latvala (R-Clearwater), today filed SPB 2500, a proposed budget for the 2017-18 fiscal year. The budget prioritizes funding for Florida’s Pre-K–20 public education system, while setting aside more than $3 billion in total reserves. The budget also makes critical investments in Florida’s state workforce with salary increases for state employees.
Statement from Senate President Joe Negron (R-Stuart):
“The Senate’s fiscally responsible, balanced budget ensures we both live within our means and set aside an ample rainy day fund. At the same time, the budget meets the needs of our growing state in a manner that reflects the priorities of the constituents who elected us.
“The link between education and our economy is clear. The best thing we can do to invest in Florida’s future is to make certain all Florida children have access to a great education from voluntary pre-kindergarten all the way through our excellent institutions of higher education.
“Over the last ten years, our universities have added approximately 50,000 students. During that time, state funding has grown by only $142 million, yet student tuition has nearly doubled. While it is true that Florida’s tuition rates are lower than in other states, nearly doubling the cost of tuition has pushed the hope of higher education out of reach for too many students and their families. In total, our budget increases need-based student aid by 81 percent, while merit-based aid is increased by 79 percent. With these historic investments in student financial aid, the Senate budget reflects our commitment to expand access to our State University System for all students who earn the right to attend.”
Statement from Senator Jack Latvala (R-Clearwater), Chair of the Senate Committee on Appropriations:
“For far too long, the honorable and dedicated state employees who guard prisons, protect our highways, care for abused and neglected children, and who provide many other critical government services, have gone without an increase in their pay. The Senate budget makes it clear that we value the contributions these public servants make to our state.”

Summary of SPB 2500, the 2017-2018 General Appropriations Act

 
Total Budget: $83.2 billion [$31.6 billion GR; $51.6 billion TF]
Major Statewide Issues
 
Education Capital Outlay
Total: $616.6 million [$599.8 million PECO TF; $16.8 million GR]

  • Public School Repairs and Maintenance – $75 million
  • Charter School Repairs and Maintenance – $75 million
  • Developmental Research Schools – $5.8 million
  • Public School Special Facilities – $50.8 million
  • Florida College System Repairs and Maintenance – $38.0 million
  • Florida College System Projects – $129.2 million
  • State University System Repairs and Maintenance – $45.6 million
  • State University System Projects – $176.0 million
  • School for the Deaf and Blind Repairs and Maintenance – $2.2 million
  • Public Broadcasting – Health and Safety Issues – $3.2 million
  • FSU Developmental Research School Arts & Sciences Building – $7.5 million
  • University Challenge Grants – $4.3 million
  • High Growth Public Schools – $3 million
  • Flagler College – $1.0 million

 
In addition: $45 million in authorization for SUS Capital Improvement Student Fee Projects
 
Compensation and Benefits:
 
Florida Retirement System – Total $96.9 million [$85.5 million GR; $11.4 million TF] (Normal Costs and Unfunded Actuarial Liability)

  • State Agencies – $15.4 million GR; $11.4 million TF
  • School Boards K-12 – $54.1 million GR
  • State Universities – $11.1 million GR
  • Community Colleges – $4.9 million GR

 
State Group Health Insurance – Total $36.5 million [$23.3 million GR; $13.2 million TF]
 
Pay Issues – Total $219.7 million [$147 million GR; $72.7 million TF]

  • State Employee Pay Increase – $103.9 million [$43.3 million GR; $60.7 million TF]
  • Correctional Officer Pay Increase – $57.9 million [$56.3 million GR; $1.5 million TF]
  • State Law Enforcement Pay Increase – $14.8 million [$4.9 million GR; $9.9 million TF]
  • Assistant Public Defender Pay Increase – $5.2 million [$4.5 million GR; $0.7 million TF]
  • Judicial Pay Increase $38 million GR
  • Pay Issues – Total $219.7 million [$147 million GR; $72.7 million TF]

 
State Employee Pay Increase – $103.9 million [$43.3 million GR; $60.7 million TF]

  • $1,400 increase for employees making $40,000 or less
  • $1,000 increase for employees making more than $40,000
  • Effective Date October 1, 2017

 
All Pay Issues below are in lieu of the overall State Employee Pay Increase (Except for the Veterans’ Affairs certified nurse assistant, pay issue)
 

  • Correctional Officer Pay Increase – $57.9 million [$56.3 million GR; $1.5 million TF]
    • Minimum Salary adjustment as follows
      • Correctional Officer $30,926 to $33,500
      • Correctional Officer Sergeant $32,783 to $36,850
      • Correctional Officer Lieutenant $35,061 to $40,535
      • Correctional Officer Captain $37,576 to $44,589
    • Minimum $2,500 increase for current employees in above classes.
      • Effective Date July 1, 2017

 

  • State Law Enforcement Pay Increase – $14.8 million [$4.9 million GR; $9.9 million TF]
    • 5% Pay Increase for Sworn Law Enforcement Officers
    • Effective Date July 1, 2017

 

  • Assistant Public Defender Pay Increase – $5.2 million [$4.5 million GR; $0.7 million TF]
    • 6% Pay Increase for Assistant Public Defenders with a minimum 3 years of experience in the Judicial Circuit they are currently employed.
    • Effective Date July 1, 2017

 

  • Judicial Pay Increase – $38 million GR
    • Supreme Court Justice: $162,200 to $192,945
    • DCA Judge: $154,140 to $183,298
    • Circuit Judge: $146,080 to $173,651
    • County Judge: $138,020 to $164,003

 

  • Special Pay Issues
    • Critical market pay for Statewide Guardian Ad Litem Office to address recruitment and retention issues
    • Critical market pay for certified nursing assistant employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs (roughly $2,000 annual adjustment per employee)
    • Set minimum salary for law enforcement officers working for the Florida Highway Patrol at $36,222.
    • Authorized a $5,000 critical market pay adjustment for sworn law enforcement officers working for the Florida Highway Patrol residing in, and assigned to duties in, Pasco County.
    • Authorizes the Department of Corrections to grant a one-time $1,000 hiring bonus to correctional officers filling a position in a facility that had at least a ten percent vacancy rate in positions during the prior calendar quarter.
    • Authorizes the Department of Corrections to grant a ten percent pay additive for correctional officers attaining a correctional behavioral mental health certification and filling a post at a mental health facility.

 

  • Health Insurance Benefits
    • Six percent increase on overall premiums (state pays the full amount of the increase for employees)
    • Retain current prescription drug copayment tiers ($7 for generic; $30 for preferred brand name drugs; and $50 for nonpreferred brand name drugs)
    • Authorize dependent eligibility verification audit

 
PreK-12 Education
 
Summary
Total Appropriations: $14.8 billion [$11.6 billion GR; $3.2 billion TF]
Total Funding – Including Local Revenues: $24.3 billion [$14.8 billion state funds; $9.5 billion local funds]
 
Major Issues
Early Learning Services
Total: $1.1 billion [$571.8 million GR; $525.3 million TF]

  • Voluntary Prekindergarten Program – $411.8 million GR; including $1.6 million for 549 additional students and $15 million for a 3.8% increase in the Base Student Allocation [from $2,437 to $2,529 per student]
  • School Readiness Program – $596.3 million [$137.1 million GR; $459.2 million TF]

 
Public Schools/K12 FEFP
Total Funding: $21 billion [$11.5 billion state funds; $9.5 billion local funds]

  • FEFP Total Funds Increase is $790 million or 3.92%
  • FEFP Increase in Total Funds per Student is $209, a 2.91% increase [from $7,205 to $7,414]
  • Enrollment Workload Increase of $197 million state funds for additional 27,368 students
  • No Change in Required Local Effort (RLE) Millage of 4.638
  • Federally Connected Student Supplement – total $13 million
  • ESE Guaranteed Allocation – additional $22.8 million to maintain pre-recession funding level
  • Supplemental Academic Instruction – additional $40.3 million for workload and for the Extended Day Program for Intensive Reading for 300 Elementary Schools, including funding for improved schools and a summer school component
  • Student Transportation – $20.3 million increase for a total of $455.5 million
  • Instructional Materials – $13.3 million increase, including an additional $3 million for dual enrollment materials, for a total of $242 million
  • Elimination of Virtual Education Contribution – reduction of $14.6 million
  • Digital Classrooms – $20 million reduction for a total of $60 million

 
Public Schools/K12 Non-FEFP

  • Mentoring Programs – $17.3 million GR
  • Gardiner Scholarships – additional $34.1 million for total of $107.4 million GR
  • School District Matching Grants for school district foundations – $3.4 million increase for a total of $7.4 million GR
  • School and Instructional Enhancement Grants – $39.7 million GR
  • Exceptional Education Grants – $6.6 million [$4.3 million GR; $2.3 million TF]
  • Florida School for the Deaf & Blind – $51.6 million [$47 million GR; $4.6 million TF]

 
State Board of Education
Total: $238.5 million [$85.7 million GR; $152.7 million TF]

  • Assessment and Evaluation – $109.2 million [$52.9 million GR; $56.3 million TF]
  • Transfer of $2.7 million to State Board of Community Colleges [$2.5 million GR and $.2 million TF]

 
Higher Education
 
Summary
Total Appropriations: $5.9 billion [$4.6 billion GR; $1.3 billion TF]
Total Funding – Including Local Revenues: $8.9 billion [$5.9 billion state funds; $3.0 billion local]
 
Major Issues
District Workforce
Total: $525.4 million [$293.5 million GR; $188.6 million TF; $43.3 million tuition/fees]

  • Workforce Development – $366.9 million [$292 million GR, $74.9 million TF]
  • Perkins Career and Technical Education grants and Adult Education and Literacy funds – [$113.7 million TF]
  • No tuition increase

 
Florida College System
Total: $2.2 billion [$914.1 million GR; $231.8 million TF; $1 billion tuition/fees]

  • Developmental Education Reduction – ($55) million GR
  • Restoration of nonrecurring EETF base funds – $13.2 TF
  • FRS adjustment – $4.9 million GR
  • No tuition increase

 
State University System
Total: $5.1 billion [$2.9 billion GR; $262.8 million TF; $2.0 billion tuition/fees]

  • Performance Based Funding – $525 million
    • $250 million State Investment [GR]
    • $275 million Institutional Investment
      • Reprioritized from the base of each institution
  • World Class Faculty and Scholar Program – $75 million GR
  • State University Professional and Graduate Degree Excellence Program – $55 million GR
  • Additional Funds for Preeminent and Emerging Preeminent State Universities – $50 million GR
  • TEAM Grants – $55 million GR
  • No tuition increase

 
Private Colleges
Total: $168.1 million GR

  • Effective Access to Student Education (EASE) Grants (formerly FRAG) – Increases student award amount from $3,000 to $3,300.
  • ABLE Grant – Increases student award amount from $1,500 to $2,500.
  • Historically Black Colleges and Universities Funding Increase – $2.3 million

 
Student Financial Aid
Total: $716 million [$257.7 million GR, $458.3 million TF]

  • Bright Futures – Academic Scholars Award Increase and Textbook Stipend – $151.9 million TF
  • Bright Futures – Academic Scholars Summer Funding – $39.5 million TF
  • Florida Student Assistance Grants – Increase Need-Based Aid – $120.95 million GR
  • First Generation Matching Grant – Double State Match – $5.3 million GR
  • Florida Farmworker Scholarship Program – $500,000 GR
  • Benacquisto Scholarship Program – Workload and Expansion – $1.4 million GR
  • Children/Spouses of Deceased or Disabled Veterans Workload Increase – $893,931 GR
  • Need-based educational benefits to pay living expenses during semester breaks for active duty and honorably discharged members of the Armed Forces – $1 million GR

 
Vocational Rehabilitation
Total: $218.6 million [$50.2 million GR, $168.4 million TF]

  • Adults with Disabilities funding – $6.4 million GR

 
Health and Human Services
 
Summary
Total Budget: $35,517.0 million [$9,555.9 million GR; $25,961.1 million TF]; 31,824.07 positions
 
Major Issues
Agency for Health Care Administration
Total: $27,679.4 million [$6,598.1 million GR; $21,081.3 million TF]; 1,546.5 positions

  • Low Income Pool – $607.8 million [$0.5 million GR; $607.3 million TF]
  • Nursing Home Prospective Payment Transition – $57.6 million [$5.0 million GR; $52.6 million TF]
  • Reduction of Hospital Rate Enhancements – ($258.6) million [($99.2) million GR; ($159.4) million TF]

 
Agency for Persons with Disabilities
Total: $1,333.5 million [$548.0 million GR; $785.5 million TF]; 2,711.50 positions

  • Service Provider Rate Increase to Address Federal Fair Labor Standards Act – $41.0 million [$15.7 million GR; $25.3 million TF]
  • Waiver Support Coordinator Rate Increase – $7.9 million [$3.0 million GR; $4.9 million TF]
  • Licensed Practical Nurse Rate Increase – $3.4 million [$1.3 million GR; $2.1 million TF]

 
Department of Children and Families
Total: $3,164.3 million [$1,726.5 million GR; $1,437.8 million TF]; 11,944.5 positions
 

  • State Mental Health Treatment Facilities Additional Staffing – 40.0 FTE; $2.9 million GR
  • State Mental Health Treatment Facilities OPS Restoration – $2.7 million GR
  • Community-Based Care Lead Agencies Funding Increase – $14.3 million [$11.3 million GR; $3.0 million TF]
  • Child Care Regulatory Compliance – 16.0 FTE; $1.6 million [$0.9 million GR; $0.7 million TF]
  • Maintenance Adoption Subsidies – $6.3 million [$2.8 million GR; $3.5 million TF]
  • Prescription Drug Abuse Treatment Federal Grant – $27.2 million TF
  • Additional Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention Funding – $2.5 million GR

 
Department of Elder Affairs
Total: $313.5 million [$141.9 million GR; $173.6 million TF]; 439.5 positions

  • Alzheimer’s Respite Care – 249 slots – $3.0 million GR
  • Community Care for the Elderly (CCE) Program – 372 slots – $3.0 million GR
  • Home Care for the Elderly (HCE) Program – 274 slots – $1.0 million GR
  • Public Guardianship Services – 286 slots – $0.8 million GR
  • Specialized Alzheimer’s Day Care Center Rate Increase – $3.0 million GR

 
Department of Health
Total: $ 2,884.5 million [$531.1 million GR; $2,353.4 million TF]; 14,064.57 positions

  • Epidemiology, Surveillance, and Outbreak Control Workload – $1.9 million [$1.0 million GR; $0.9 million TF]
  • Child Protection Teams – $ 1.4 million GR
  • Poison Control Centers – $3.7 million GR
  • Office of Compassionate Use Workload – 9.0 FTE; $0.8 million TF

 
Department of Veterans Affairs
Total: $139.7 million [$10.3 million GR; $129.4 million TF]; 1,117.5 FTE

  • Complete Construction of 7th State Veterans’ Nursing Home – $38.7 million TF
  • Veterans’ Benefits and Assistance Workload – 10.0 FTE; $0.8 million GR

 
Civil and Criminal Justice
 
Summary
Total Budget: $5.069.1 billion [$4.133.5 billion GR; $935.6 million TF]; 45,809.50 FTE
 
Major Issues

  • Funding the Department of Corrections health services deficit – $18.0 million
  • Funding a new residential mental health facility – $16.4 million GR
  • Funding half of State Courts Technology Comprehensive Plan – $14.0 million; 45 FTE

 
Attorney General/ Legal Affairs
Total: $328.1 million [$55.2 million GR; $272.9 million TF]; 1,411.50 FTE
 

  • Criminal appeals workload – 10 FTE and $0.8 million GR
  • Information Technology workload – 3 FTE and $0.1 million GR; $0.2 million TF
  • Information Technology infrastructure improvements – $0.5 million GR; $0.1 million TF
  • Increase in the Federal Victims Assistance and Compensation (VOCA) Grants – $17.6 million TF
  • Statewide prosecution case management system – $0.8 million TF
  • Leased office space cost increase – $0.3 million GR; $0.2 million TF
  • Increased cost of statewide prosecution – $0.3 million TF

 
Department of Corrections
Total: $2.43 billion [$2.36 billion GR; $74.1 million TF]; 24,238.00 FTE

  • Funding the Department of Corrections health services deficit – $18.0 million GR
  • New residential mental health facility – $16.4 million GR
  • Motor vehicles – $0.3 million GR
  • Enhance education and training program – $1.5 million GR
  • Fixed capital outlay for repair and maintenance of DOC facilities – $6.4 million GR

 
Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE)
Total: $291.8 million [$107.5 million GR; $184.3 million TF]; 1,844.00 FTE

  • Fixed capital outlay for new Pensacola Regional Operations Center – $1.0 million TF
  • Sexual assault kit backlog reduction plan – 5 FTE and $0.8 million GR
  • Improve sexual offender and predator registry – $1.9 million TF
  • Increase trust fund authority for law enforcement training – $2.2 million TF
  • Increase sexual assault kit grants – $0.4 million TF
  • Enhance missing children response and investigations – 9 FTE and $0.7 million TF
  • Unsolved case website – $0.2 million GR
  • Funds final year of Computerized Criminal History (CCH) database – $5.0 million TF

 
Department of Juvenile Justice
Total: $576.3 million [$417.5 million GR; $158.8 million TF]; 3,269.50 FTE

  • PACE Centers for Girls – $3.6 million GR
  • Funds state share of juvenile detention cost share – $2.5 million GR
  • Increases the number of juvenile residential commitment beds – $5.2 million GR
  • Funds enhanced evidence-based services for residential programs – $5.3 million TF
  • Funds the SNAP Program for young children -$1.1 million TF
  • Fixed capital outlay for repair and maintenance of department-owned facilities – $6.5 million GR

 
State Court System
Total: $528.0 million [$436.6 million GR; $91.4 million TF]; 4,408.50 FTE

  • Funding half of State Courts Technology Comprehensive Plan – $14.0 million; 45 FTE
  • Case management resources – $1.40 million; 20 FTE
  • Address additional 3rd DCA courthouse costs – $0.1 million GR
  • Naltrexone injections to treat opioid- and alcohol-addicted offenders – $2.5 million GR
  • Veterans’ Courts – $0.8 million GR

 
Justice Administration
Total: $902.8 million [$748.6 million GR; $154.3 million TF]; 10,506.00 FTE

  • Increased due process funding for death penalty cases – $1.3 million GR
  • State attorney workload – $0.4 million in GR, $0.4 million in TF

 
Clerks of the Court

  • Address clerk revenue deficits – $25.0 million nonrecurring GR for CFY 2016-17 and a conforming bill that redirects $25.0 million in recurring GR to the clerks.

 
Transportation, Tourism and Economic Development
 
Summary
Total Budget: $13.4 billion [$434.8 million GR; $13.0 billion TF]; 13,275.5 positions
 
Major Issues

  • Transportation Work Program – $9.9 billion TF
  • Affordable Housing Programs – $274.4 million TF
  • Economic Development Incentive Programs, Projects and Initiatives – $83.4 million TF
  • Economic Development Partners – $135.8 million TF
  • Library Grants and Initiatives – $39.4 million GR
  • Cultural and Museum Grants and Initiatives – $24.2 million (TF & GR)
  • Historic Preservation Grants and Initiatives – $11.8 million (TF & GR)
  • Motorist Modernization Project and Enterprise Data Infrastructure – $17.5 million TF
  • National Guard Tuition Assistance – $4.5 million GR

 
Department of Economic Opportunity
Total: $1.4 billion [$300.8 million GR; $1.1 billion TF]; 1,538.5 positions
 

  • Economic Development Incentive Programs, Projects and Initiatives – $83.4 million TF includes:
    • Economic Development Toolkit Payments and Initiatives – $83.4 million TF
    • Payments for existing contracts-$38.4 million
    • Quick Action Closing Fund-$45.0 million

 

  • Economic Development Partners – $129.2 million TF includes:
    • Enterprise Florida (EFI) – $23.5 million TF
    • VISIT Florida – $76 million TF
    • Florida Sports Foundation – $4.7 million TF
    • Space Florida – $19.5 million TF [$12.5 million recurring; $7 million nonrecurring]
    • Institute for the Commercialization of Public Research –$5.5 million TF [$1 million recurring; $4.5 million nonrecurring]

 

  • Workforce Development Programs, Projects, and Initiatives – $22.4 million TF includes:
    • Quick Response Training Program – $16.0 million TF
    • Workforce Development Projects and Initiatives – $7.6 TF

 

  • Affordable Housing Programs – $274.4 million TF:
    • SHIP – $130.9 million TF (allocated to local governments), includes:
      • More flexibility in the SHIP program regarding rent subsidies and rental assistance
      • $5.2 million allocated for homeless Challenge Grants
    • State Housing Programs – $143.5 million TF includes:
      • At least 50 percent for the SAIL Program
      • $10 million for competitive grant program for housing developments designed for persons with developmental disabilities
      • $20 million for workforce housing to serve low-income persons and certain households in the Florida Keys
    • Housing and Community Development Programs, Projects, and Initiatives – $26.1 million TF includes:
      • Housing and Community Development Projects and Initiatives – $23.8 million TF
      • Technical and Planning Assistance and Competitive Florida Partnership Program – $1.3 million TF
      • Building Homes for Heroes-$1 million TF

 
Department of State
Total: $141.0 million [$104.5 million GR; $36.5 TF]; 412 positions

  • State Aid to Libraries – $25.2 million GR
  • Libraries – $15.5 million GR o Library Construction Grant Ranked List – $5.3 million GR
  • Library Technology Grants – $8.2 million GR
  • Library Cooperatives – $2 million recurring
  • Cultural & Museum Program Support and Facilities Grants – $29.1 million [$27.6 million GR; $1.5 million TF]
  • Historic Small Matching and Facilities Grants – $11.7 million GR
  • County Elections Assistance – $1.2 million GR

 
Department of Transportation
Total: $10.9 billion TF; 6,299 positions
 
Transportation Work Program – $9.9 billion TF:

  • Highway and Bridge Construction – $4.2 billion
  • Resurfacing and Maintenance – $1.2 billion
  • Design and Engineering – $1.2 billion
  • Right of Way Land Acquisition – $733.3 million
  • Public Transit Development Grants – $639.7 million
  • Rail Development Grants – $237.7 million
  • County Transportation Programs:
    • Small County Road Assistance Program (SCRAP) – $30.0 million
    • Small County Outreach Program (SCOP) – $64.3 million (includes $9 million for Small Cities)
    • Other County Transportation Programs – $55.6 million
  • Aviation Development Grants – $257.1 million
  • Seaport and Intermodal Development Grants – $188.0 million
  • Economic Development Transportation (“Road Fund”) Projects – $24.1 million TF
  • Shared-Use Non-Motorized Trail Network – $25 million
  • Transportation Disadvantaged Program Grants – $54.1 million

 
Department of Military Affairs
Total: $86.3 million [$29.5 million GR; $56.9 million TF; 453 positions]

  • Armories – $6.0 million GR
  • Community Outreach Programs (Forward March and About Face) – $2 million recurring GR
  • Secure and Harden State Readiness Centers – $2.0 million GR
  • Tuition Assistance for Florida National Guard – $4.2 million GR

 
Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
Total: $476.8 million TF; 4,414 positions

  • Florida Highway Patrol:
    • Replacement Of In-Car Digital Video Cameras- $3.6 million TF
  • Motorist Modernization Project – Phase I and II – $14.0 million TF
  • Enterprise Data Infrastructure – $3.5 million TF
  • Maintenance and Repairs of Facilities – $3.0 million TF

 
Division of Emergency Management
Total: $395.3 million TF; 157 positions

  • Federally Declared Disaster Funding, excluding state match – $310.5 million:
    • Communities – $293.3 million
    • State Operations – $17.2 million
  • Statewide Notification and Alert System – $3.5 million TF
  • Residential Construction Mitigation – $4.0 million TF

 
The Environment and Natural Resources
 
Summary
Total Budget: $3.8 billion ($506.3 million GR; $693.5 million LATF; $2.6 billion Other TF); 8,671 positions
 
Major Issues
Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services
Total: $1.7 billion ($208.6 million GR; $23.1 million LATF; $1.5 billion TF); 3,614 positions

  • Wildfire Suppression Equipment $3 million TF
  • Florida Forest Service Grants for Endangered Species $1.2 million TF
  • Citrus Greening Research $8 million TF
  • Farm Share and Food Banks $2.2 million GR
  • Agricultural Best Management Practices Partnership Agreements $1.4 million TF
  • Agriculture Education and Promotion Facilities $4.6 million TF
  • Citrus Health Response Program $7.1 million TF
  • Kissimmee Animal Diagnostic Lab $4.1 million GR
  • State Farmers Markets Facility Improvements $1 million TF
  • Critical Building Repairs and Maintenance $2 million GR
  • African Snail Eradication Program $2.3 million TF
  • Child Nutrition Program Grants $99.2 million TF

 
Department of Citrus
Total: $33.1 million ($33.1 million TF); 39 positions

  • Advertising/Promotion $2.7 million TF

 
Department of Environmental Protection
Total: $1.7 billion ($213.1 million GR; $609.2 million LATF; $862.4 million TF); 2,899.5 positions

  • Everglades Restoration $144.0 million ($32.0 million LATF; $112.0 million TF)
  • Northern Everglades Restoration $34.0 million ($28.2 million LATF; $5.8 million GR)
  • St. John River/Keystone Heights Restoration, Public Access & Recreation $20 million LATF
  • Florida Keys Area of Critical State Concern $25 million LATF
  • Hurricane Recovery Beach Projects $50.0 million GR
  • Beach Management Funding Assistance $50 million LATF
  • Springs Restoration $50 million LATF (base funding)
  • Indian River Lagoon Septic to Sewer Assistance Grants $20 million GR
  • Water Projects $67.3 million GR
  • Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program (FRDAP) $5.4 million GR
  • State Parks Maintenance and Repairs $22.9 million TF
  • Petroleum Tanks Cleanup Program $110 million TF
  • Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) $7.4 million GR
  • Drinking Water & Wastewater Revolving Loan Programs $18.4 million GR; $226.9 million TF
  • Hazardous Waste/Site Cleanup $8.5 million TF
  • Small County Solid Waste Management Grants $3.0 million TF
  • Small County Wastewater Treatment Grants $15 million ($13 million TF; $2 million GR)
  • Lake Apopka $5 million LATF
  • Local Parks $3.2 million GR
  • Water Management Districts’ Minimum Flows and Levels Support $1.9 million GR

 
Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission
Total: $372.7 million ($81.2 million GR; $61.2 million LATF; $230.2 million TF); 2,118.5 positions

  • Apollo Marine Fish Hatchery $3.5 million ($1.75 million GR; $1.75 million TF)
  • Boating Infrastructure and Improvement Program $5.7 million TF
  • Artificial Fishing Reef Construction $.6 million ($.3m GR & other TF)
  • Derelict Vessel Removal $1.5 million GR
  • Black Bear Conflict Reduction $.5 million GR
  • Building Improvements $.6 million TF

 
General Government
 
Summary
Total Budget: $2 billion [$299.3 million GR; $1.7 billion Other TFs]; 11,350 positions
 
Major Issues
Department of Business & Professional Regulation
Total: $152.3 million [$1.9 million GR; $150.3 million TF]; 1,618 positions

  • Promoting Florida’s Hospitality Program – $1 million TF
  • Legal Costs-Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco – $.4 million GR

 
Department of Financial Services
Total: $386.7 million [$28.2 million GR; $358.5 million TF]; 2,617.50 positions

  • Florida Planning, Accounting & Ledger Management (PALM) Project – $41.9 million TF
  • Florida Accounting & Information Resource (FLAIR) Staff Augmentation – $.6 million TF
  • Fire College and Arson Lab Repairs and Maintenance – $.4 million TF
  • Workers’ Compensation Insurance Fraud – $.2 million TF; 3 positions
  • Fire College Building Maintenance – $.4 million TF
  • Local Government Fire Services – $5.8 million GR
  • Increase Contracted Services Budget Authority – $1.6 million TF
  • Increase State Fire Marshall Grant Programs – $.9 million TF
  • K-12 Public School Funding Transparency Website – $.5 million GR

 
Department of the Lottery
Total: $167.9 million TF; 420 positions

  • Statewide Document Management System – $.8 million TF
  • Information Technology upgrades to software, hardware, and equipment – $.3 million TF

 
Department of Management Services
Total Budget: $619.8 million [$56.5 million GR; $563.3 million TF]; 833 positions

  • Florida Facilities Pool – $36.9 million [$25.2 million GR; $11.7 million TF]
  • FDLE Pensacola Regional Operations Center – $28.2 million [$26.5 million TF; $1.7 million GR]
  • Dependent Eligibility Verification Services – $1 million TF
  • Florida Interoperability Network and Mutual Aid – $2 million GR
  • Statewide Law Enforcement Radio System (SLERS) Staff Augmentation, Equipment and Independent Verification and Validation Services – $1.6 million TF
  • Division of Retirement Information Technology Contract – $2.1 million TF
  • Fleet Management Information System – $.5 million TF • Seminole County Computer Aided Dispatch System – $2 million GR

 
Division of Administrative Hearings
Total Budget: $26.1 million TF; 241 positions
 
Agency for State Technology
Total: $67.8 million TF; 227 positions

  • Infrastructure Replacement and License Consolidation – $.3 million TF
  • Security Training – $.2 million TF

 
Public Service Commission
Total: $25 million TF; 273 positions

  • Replacement of Motor Vehicles – $.1 million TF

 
Department of Revenue
Total: $577.6 million [$212.7 million GR; $365 million TF]; 5,121 positions

  • Fiscally Constrained Counties – $26.2 million GR
  • Aerial Photography – $.2 million GR

 

Filed Under: Featured Tagged With: budget, Education, Florida Senate

UCF Hospital Partnership Earns Key State Approval

Posted on March 30, 2017

A new hospital focused on building a healthier community, training more physicians and powering economic growth through research earned a key unanimous approval Thursday from the State University System’s Board of Governors.
UCF Lake Nona Medical Center, which will be built adjacent to the UCF College of Medicine, is a public-private partnership with UCF Academic Health, a direct support organization to the university, and the North Florida Division of Hospital Corporation of America (HCA), the nation’s largest hospital company.
Focused on providing healthcare services to the community as well as education and research, the hospital will help the College of Medicine increase residencies and clinically based research, and ultimately help build Medical City into more of a healthcare destination providing first-class health care.
The hospital “will fulfill our promise to become a hub of innovation and a healthier Orlando,” said UCF Board of Trustees Chairman Marcos Marchena.
“The aspirations that we have worked on from day one are that we would have a first-rate, top-tier medical school. It is clear to me that we need a hospital if we are going to achieve our highest ambitions for the medical college,” said UCF President John C. Hitt.
Under the agreement, HCA will spend $175 million in cash to build and begin operations of a 100-bed hospital. No state money will be used and UCF will not incur any debt. UCF and HCA will share governance, each appointing four members to the hospital board.
Dr. Deborah German, vice president for medical affairs and founding dean of the College of Medicine, said the hospital is necessary for UCF to deliver on the economic development promises it made when the college was approved 10 years ago. “In the United States and around the world, the best health systems have an academic component at their heart and the best medical schools have hospitals,” she said.
In 2012, the university purchased the land in Medical City and began seeking partners. Last summer, UCF formally invited hospitals nationwide to submit partnership proposals. HCA, Florida Hospital and Orlando Health did. In September, UCF trustees approved a partnership with HCA, citing its nationwide hospital operations experience, financial strength and extensive research programs.
“We are grateful to the Board of Governors for their approval and very excited to move forward in building a community-based teaching facility,” said Michael P. Joyce, FACHE, President of HCA’s North Florida Division. “Today marks a milestone for all of us at HCA. This investment benefits the future physicians we’re privileged to train, as well as the entire Lake Nona community. It also allows us to expand our footprint in the Orlando area, making healthcare more accessible for Central Floridians.”
Lake Nona is one of the Top 10 fastest-selling master-planned communities in the United States and the fastest-selling in Orlando. More than 1,000 families are moving to Lake Nona every year.

Filed Under: Featured Tagged With: Hospital Partnership, Key State Approval, ucf

Gov. Scott: Florida Leads Large States in Private-Sector Job Growth

Posted on March 30, 2017

Florida Also Leading the Nation in Job Creation Across Multiple Industries

Governor Rick Scott announced today that Florida businesses had the fastest annual private-sector job growth rate of the 10 largest states in the nation. In the last year, Florida added 239,800 new private-sector jobs, the second-most in the nation. Governor Scott also announced that Florida added 11,900 new jobs in the manufacturing industry over the last year, the most of any state. Florida’s manufacturing, construction and professional and business services industries all led the nation in job gains in February.
Governor Scott said, “I am proud to announce that Florida is once again leading our competitor states in private-sector job growth and that multiple Florida industries, such as manufacturing, are leading the nation in job creation. Economic development programs like Enterprise Florida aren’t just crucial to helping our state compete for major jobs wins, but also help diversify our economy. Today’s announcement shows that we are successfully diversifying our economy and we cannot stop now. We must continue to fight for jobs by investing in important economic development programs like Enterprise Florida and VISIT FLORIDA.”
Florida’s private-sector job growth rate of 3.3 percent is outpacing the nation’s at 1.8 percent. Florida has led the nation in over-the-year manufacturing job gains for the last eight months, and Florida’s trade, transportation and utilities industry had the second-highest job gains among all states.
Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Executive Director Cissy Proctor said, “Florida’s strong, diverse job creation is catapulting our state to the top of the nation for economic growth. Our economic development and diversification programs are working as a result of our investment in critical programs like Enterprise Florida and VISIT FLORIDA.”

Filed Under: Featured Tagged With: Florida, Gov. Rick Scott, Private Sector Job Growth

Board of Governors appoints Dean Colson to Florida International University Board of Trustees

Posted on March 30, 2017

Dean Colson, of Coral Gables, is the chief executive officer of Colson Hicks Edison. Mr. Colson currently serves as an executive committee member of the Institute of Contemporary Arts, visiting committee member of the University of Miami Law School and Visiting Committee Member of University of Miami School of Education. Mr. Colson previously served as chair of the Board of Governors and chair of the University of Miami Board of Trustees. Mr. Colson received his bachelor’s degree from Princeton University and his law degree from University of Miami School of Law. He is appointed for a term beginning March 30, 2017 through January 6, 2021.

Facts about the State University System of Florida and the Board of Governors
The State University System of Florida is a constitutional body led by the 17-member Board of Governors. The system has 12 universities and more than 341,000 students, making it the second-largest public university system in the nation. Responsibilities include defining the distinctive mission of each institution and managing the system’s coordination and operation. The Board appoints a chancellor who serves as the system’s chief executive. For more, visit www.flbog.edu, visit Think-Florida.org or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Filed Under: Featured Tagged With: Board of Governors, board of trustees, FIU, Florida International University

86th Justice Alan Lawson Formally Joins Florida Supreme Court Next Wednesday

Posted on March 30, 2017

Lakeland native Alan Lawson, 55, a lawyer who received much of his education in Tallahassee and went on to be an Orlando judge, will be formally invested as the 86th Justice of the state’s highest court starting at 3:00 p.m. on April 5 at the Florida Supreme Court Building amid unprecedented pageantry.
For the first time in its history, a Judicial Processional of more than 50 black-robed judges from throughout Florida will be formally seated in the Tallahassee courtroom by the Supreme Court Marshal. These judges will witness one of their own ascend to the high bench.
Processionals – where judges solemnly enter the courtroom in their robes at the start of the ceremony – are more common in other courts. They have never been used by the Florida Supreme Court – whose Justices famously eschewed the formality of wearing any kind of robes for more than a century after statehood in 1845 until their courtroom first was air conditioned in 1949.
The highlight of the ceremony will come when Governor Scott formally presents Lawson’s credentials to Chief Justice Jorge Labarga. Legislative leaders also are expected to attend.
The processional and investiture will be broadcast live statewide by the Florida Channel and will be open to the public on a space-available basis. Overflow crowds are expected.
Overflow rooms with closed circuit video of the ceremony will be available elsewhere in the Supreme Court Building once the courtroom reaches capacity.
Lawson was an honors student at Tallahassee’s Leon High School, where he was a student journalist. He went on to attend Tallahassee Community College before leaving town for Clemson University. In 1984 he returned to attend FSU College of Law, graduating second in his class in May 1987.
The very next month he married Julie Carlton – they would go on to have two children, Caleb and Leah – and started working as an attorney in the Tallahassee and Miami offices of Steel Hector & Davis. He would practice law there until moving to Orlando in the mid-1990s.
After working in the Orange County Attorney’s Office in Orlando, Lawson was appointed to the Orange County state circuit court in 2002. In 2006, he joined the Fifth District Court of Appeal based in Daytona Beach and later served as its chief judge starting in 2015.
Florida Gov. Rick Scott placed Lawson on the Florida Supreme Court starting on December 31, 2016. Lawson replaced former Justice James E.C. Perry from Sanford, who had reached mandatory retirement age.
For the April 5 ceremony in Tallahassee, the Florida Supreme Court will waive its usual rules requiring the use of the Florida Channel’s pool camera arrangement. However, video and still camera operators should check with the Court’s Public Information Office beforehand to make sure they will have space in the crowded courtroom.

Filed Under: Featured Tagged With: Florida Supreme Court, Justice Alan lawson

Flagler’s Enactus advances to national competition

Posted on March 30, 2017

3.30.2017 Enactus 2017 regionals sm
Three projects that were inspired by the powerful effects of Hurricane Matthew have advanced Flagler’s Enactus team to the national Enactus competition.
Each year, Enactus students compete regionally to earn a spot in the National Exposition, a competition that rewards top teams with a coveted national title. Students are judged on their ability to achieve the organization’s mission, which is “to empower people to transform opportunities into real, sustainable progress for themselves and their community.”
Flagler Enactus decided to focus this year’s presentation on addressing the immediate needs of its St. Augustine community.
“Our community was battered and bruised from the hurricane, but not broken,” said Eric Crosby, president of Flagler College Enactus. “The community really inspired our team.”
As part of the Flagler’s team presentation at the regional competition in Atlanta, students focused on three projects, all of which assist individuals affected by Hurricane Matthew: helping rebuild retail and tour business Flagler’s Legacy, the organization’s pioneering project that was started 18 years ago; launching SplitSpace, an online service that matches hurricane-affected entrepreneurs with other business owners who desire to share their storefront space; and expanding the products and opportunities of Dominican Republic-based soap company Dominican Waves, by hiring more employees and designing a hygiene education program to address water-borne diseases that emerged after the storm.
According to Crosby, Flagler Enactus will be presenting a refined, expanded version of these projects at the National Exposition in Kansas City, Mo. from May 21 to 23.
Flagler’s Enactus, one of 533 Enactus teams across the U.S., has won national titles for their projects in 2004, 2009 and 2013. It placed third last year.

Filed Under: Featured Tagged With: Enactus, Flagler College, National Competition

ICYMI: News Talk Florida: Bondi to serve on new Trump lead Opioid and Drug Abuse Commission

Posted on March 30, 2017

Pam Bondi: “I want to thank the President of the United States, Governor Christie and many others for caring about this deadly epidemic.”
News Talk Florida
James Williams
March 29, 2017
Bondi will serve on the new Opioid and Drug Abuse Commission to be chaired by Gov. Chris Christie3.30.2017 icymi news talk fl
While in Washington to moderate women’s empowerment panel at the White House, Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi was named to a group who will take the lead on combatting drug abuse. The new group is called the Opioid and Drug Abuse Commission. It is a new group that was put together and will be overseen by President Donald Trump.
The commission will be chaired by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and today at the White House Bondi had some early conversations about her duties when she sat with Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, Attorney General Jeff Sessions, VA Secretary David Shulkin, Kellyanne Conway, Jared Kushner, Stephen Miller, Omarosa Manigault, and other administration officials.
 To read the full article, click here.

Filed Under: Featured Tagged With: Attorney General Pam Bondi, ICYMI, News Talk Florida, Opioid and Drug Abuse Commission, President Trump

Hurricane Hunter backup bill passes Senate

Posted on March 30, 2017

us-senate-logo
The U.S. Senate unanimously passed a bill late Wednesday requiring the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to have reliable backups available for its Hurricane Hunter aircraft.
The provision, sought by U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL), comes in the wake of an incident last year when one of the jets NOAA was using to gather hurricane measurements was forced to land for emergency repairs during Hurricane Hermine. The Gulfstream G-IV was grounded for several days, forcing NOAA to scramble to find a temporary replacement.
“When it comes to protecting lives and property, we can’t afford to go without Hurricane Hunters,” Nelson said following the passage of the measure. “We need to have a backup plan in place, and I’m hopeful we’ll have one in time for hurricane season.”
NOAA maintains a fleet of three aircraft currently based at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa. The planes are designed to fly in and around hurricanes and tropical storms, collecting data used to track and measure the intensity of these powerful storms.
NOAA’s current fleet of Hurricane Hunters include two P3 propeller aircraft, known as Miss Piggy and Kermit, that fly into storms, but only one Gulfstream jet, known as Gonzo, capable of reaching altitudes high enough to fly above storms.
The measurements taken by Hurricane Hunters are essential to weather forecasters. On May 1, the Hurricane Hunter fleet is slated to move from Tampa to the Lakeland-Linder Regional Airport.
Nelson’s Hurricane Hunter provision was included in a broader weather bill (HR 353). The legislation now goes to the House for consideration.

Filed Under: Featured Tagged With: backup bill, Hurricane Hunter, Sen. Bill Nelson, U.S. Senate

Florida Supreme Court: Regular weekly opinion release

Posted on March 30, 2017

Filings for the Florida Supreme Court
March 30, 2017

SC13-819 & SC14-22 – Roderick Michael Orme v. State of Florida and Roderick Michael Orme v. Julie L. Jones, etc. – Revised Opinion
SC14-1412 – Brandon Lee Bradley v. State of Florida
SC15-625 – Dwayne F. White v. State of Florida
SC15-1613 – State of Florida v. Nicolas Dominique
SC15-1816 – Gangapersad Ramroop v. State of Florida
SC15-1881 & SC16-589 – Nancy Hooker v. Timothy I. Hooker and Timothy I. Hooker v. Nancy Hooker
SC15-1925 – Rafael Yee v. State of Florida
SC15-2092 – Corey Jamaine Dozier v. State of Florida
SC16-303 – Alan Osterhoudt, Jr. v. State of Florida

Filed Under: Featured Tagged With: Florida Supreme Court, Regular Weekly Opinion Release

Senate Passes Comprehensive Gaming Legislation

Posted on March 30, 2017

The Florida Senate today passed Senate Bill 8, Gaming, by Senator Bill Galvano (R-Bradenton). Senator Galvano and Senate President Joe Negron (R-Stuart) released the following statements.
Statement by President Negron:
“This legislation will provide needed certainty and predictability in our state gaming policies. I am pleased to see the Senate pass legislation that ratifies the 2015 Compact executed by Governor Scott with modifications that ensure we honor the will of our fellow citizens in the eight counties that have approved referenda to expand the availability of gaming options. I appreciate Senator Galvano’s leadership in working with all stakeholders to formalize a comprehensive piece of legislation that provides a foundation for further discussions with Governor Scott, our colleagues in the Florida House, the Seminole Tribe, industry stakeholders, and constituents.”
Statement by Senator Galvano:
“This legislation builds on work that has taken place and input received by the Senate over the last several years. The bill covers all aspects of gaming in our state in a comprehensive manner that addresses industry instability caused by antiquated and ambiguous provisions of current law.  It renews our ongoing revenue-sharing agreement with the Seminole Tribe of Florida, and recognizes the authority of local voters. Today’s action is an important step towards finalizing a statewide approach that respects all stakeholders, while modernizing Florida’s gaming laws, and maximizing revenues to the state for education, healthcare and infrastructure.”

Filed Under: Featured Tagged With: Comprehensive Gaming Legislation, Florida Senate

  • « Go to Previous Page
  • Page 1
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 473
  • Page 474
  • Page 475
  • Page 476
  • Page 477
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 583
  • Go to Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

    Submit News    

Florida Democratic Party Launches “Defend Our Dems” Program

Tallahassee, FL — Today, the Florida Democratic Party is proud to launch the “Defend Our Dems” program, an … [Read More...] about Florida Democratic Party Launches “Defend Our Dems” Program

House Democratic Leader Fentrice Driskell, Representatives Kelly Skidmore and Allison Tant Request FLDOE to Release Critical Data

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Earlier today, House Democratic Leader Fentrice Driskell (D–Tampa), Representative Kelly … [Read More...] about House Democratic Leader Fentrice Driskell, Representatives Kelly Skidmore and Allison Tant Request FLDOE to Release Critical Data

Florida Department of Juvenile Justice and Pinellas Technical College Host Signing Day Event for Students

  St. Petersburg, Fla. – The Florida Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) joined together with Pinellas … [Read More...] about Florida Department of Juvenile Justice and Pinellas Technical College Host Signing Day Event for Students

Keep in Touch

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Footer

News

  • Featured
  • Leaders
  • Government
  • Industry
  • Education
  • Opinion

About Us 

  • About
  • Advertise
  • Submit News
  • Contact Us

Keep in Touch

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Copyright © 2021
Terms & Conditions

© Copyright 2025 Capital Soup · All Rights Reserved ·