Senator Dorothy Hukill (R-Port Orange) today filed Senate Bill 374, the College Competitiveness Act of 2017. The legislation, co-sponsored by Senator Bill Galvano (R-Bradenton) and Senate Majority Leader Wilton Simpson (R-Trilby), is a component of the Florida Senate’s Excellence in Higher Education agenda advocated by Senate President Joe Negron (R-Stuart).
“This legislation will elevate the visibility of our nationally-recognized Florida Community College System as an integral partner in Florida’s system of higher education, with a renewed commitment to access and dedication to its primary 2+2 mission, and on-time completion of vital associate degrees and workforce credentials, as fundamental priorities,” said Senator Hukill.
Senate Bill 374, reinstates a statewide coordinating board for the Florida Community College System, tightens the community college bachelor degree approval process, expands 2+2 college-to-university partnerships, and clarifies responsibilities within Florida’s taxpayer-funded K-20 education system to avoid wasteful duplication of programs offered by state universities, community colleges, and technical centers.
“Community colleges are vital to Florida’s K-20 public education system,” said President Negron. “With a distinct mission, separate from the role of our K-12 and state university systems, our nationally-recognized community colleges deserve their own coordinating board to advocate for the success of the system.”
“By clarifying the distinct roles and responsibilities of our state universities, community colleges, and technical centers, we can elevate each component of our higher education system with strategic policy enhancements and funding investments that promote economic growth,” said Senator Galvano.
“Florida’s 2+2 college-to-university partnership program is a nationally-recognized model for success in higher education,” said Leader Simpson. “Strengthening and expanding partnership agreements that enable students to transition seamlessly from a community college to one of our 12 state universities facilitates degree completion, which saves students money and time.”
Reinstates Statewide Coordinating Board
Senate Bill 374 reinstates the State Board of Community Colleges as the coordinating board of the Florida Community College System, independent of the State Board of Education and the Board of Governors of the State University System, to oversee the local community college boards of trustees. The bill requires the State Board of Community Colleges to appoint a Chancellor to the board, and transfers personnel, budget, and other appropriate functions from the State Board of Education to the State Board of Community Colleges.
Clarifies Missions of Community Colleges and School District Workforce Programs
Senate Bill 374 clarifies that providing lower-level undergraduate instruction and awarding Associate in Arts degrees, which transfer to a state university, are responsibilities under the primary mission of community colleges. Additionally, responsibilities under the primary mission of community colleges are to prepare students directly for careers requiring less than bachelor degrees, by awarding Associate in Science degrees, Associate in Applied Science degrees, and nationally-recognized industry certifications, which help students enter the workforce prepared for success.
Offering upper-level instruction and awarding bachelor degrees are responsibilities under the secondary mission of community colleges. To support this delineation in mission, the bill establishes a cap on the planned growth in upper-level undergraduate enrollment at each community college, thereby focusing attention and resources on excellence in meeting primary mission responsibilities. The provisions of the bill do not terminate any existing programs and no students currently enrolled in community college baccalaureate degree programs will be impacted by the enrollment cap.
The legislation further clarifies the mission of technical centers is to promote advances and innovations in specific workforce preparation and economic development. The public technical center learning environment prepares its students to meet the needs of the local community through specific and specialized technical career-based training; thus promoting diversity and choices within the public technical education community and while increasing a quicker turnaround in economic investments as these students are more likely to immediately enter the workforce. The bill clarifies technical centers governed by local school boards may not offer college credit courses, college credit certificates, associate degrees, or bachelor degrees.
Expands 2+2 College-To-University Partnerships
Senate Bill 374 expands successful 2+2 college-to-university programs, such as DirectConnect partnerships with the University of Central Florida and FUSE partnerships with the University of South Florida, by requiring every college to implement, by no later than the 2018 academic year, a minimum of one 2+2 pathway agreement with at least one state university partner. The 2+2 pathway agreement guarantees the college’s Associate in Arts degree graduates, who meet specific requirements, admission to the university partnered with that community college.
Featured
Attorney General Bondi Files Antitrust Action Against Producers of Water Treatment Chemical
Attorney General Pam Bondi today filed a federal antitrust action against liquid aluminum sulfate producers General Chemical Corporation and its successor and affiliated companies, GEO Specialty Chemicals, Inc. and C&S Chemicals, Inc. and its affiliated company. These companies allegedly conspired to restrain trade, rig bids and reduce competition in Florida for liquid aluminum sulfate, a water treatment chemical. Municipalities and other governmental entities use liquid aluminum sulfate to purify both drinking water and wastewater. Pulp and paper manufacturers also use liquid aluminum sulfate in their manufacturing processes.
“A chemical used to purify drinking water and wastewater is essential for maintaining the health and welfare of Floridians, and efforts to rig the market for this chemical has forced our government entities to pay too much,” said Attorney General Bondi. “The action filed today seeks to protect the interests of Florida municipalities, counties and other state entities and hold these companies accountable.”
In the complaint filed in U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, the Florida Attorney General’s Office alleges that, from 1997 through at least February 2012, the chemical producers conspired with each other to allocate certain customer accounts in Florida in order to charge higher prices for liquid aluminum sulfate.
Attorney General Bondi’s Office also alleges that the producers’ actions violated the Sherman Antitrust Act, the Florida Antitrust Act and the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act. The complaint seeks treble damages and civil penalties for the producers’ conduct.
To view the complaint, click here.
DSC faculty publish benefits of writing across the curriculum
A study by three Daytona State College faculty members on how the college’s Writing Across the Curriculum/Writing in the Discipline (WAC/WID) program enhances student success was published in the latest peer-reviewed journal, Across the Disciplines.
The study by professors Jessica Kester, Trey Orndorff and Maggie Karda, along with Rebecca Block, former director of the DSC-UCF Writing Center, showed that student grades and completion rates in WAC/WID-infused courses improved by at least half a letter grade, and that student completion improved by almost 8 percent. The results were similar for students across all demographic groups, including first-time-in-college students. It is the only study of its kind related to WAC/WID programs at open-enrollment institutions like Daytona State.
“This study shows we have the ability to affect students early in their college experience,” said Kester. “We don’t have to wait until they are in a major. We can benefit many more students if we focus on students taking the so-called unavoidable curriculums such as general education courses that everybody has to take, rather than wait until they get into a major before we emphasize writing in the discipline.”
Spearheaded by Kester in 2013, DSC’s WAC/WID program emphasizes the link between literacy education and disciplinary study. Kester’s team works with fellow faculty in redesigning their courses within a framework of best practices in writing studies theory and pedagogy in order to expand the writing expectations in the courses. Virtually all courses can be enhanced through WAC/WID. For example, in a mathematics class, rather than simply having a student calculate a formula, an instructor might have the student write about why and how the formula was used.
While such programs are commonly implemented in upper-level undergraduate courses at the nation’s universities, they are relatively rare at community colleges and open-enrollment institutions such as DSC, where the majority of students are enrolled in workforce and technical programs or the two-year university transfer associate degree. But, the study shows, the benefits can be no less dramatic.
“Here, we are not dealing with upper-level students in a major, where faculty might take more responsibility for teaching specific forms of writing because they know that student is going to be, say, an engineer who will need to write specific kinds of reports,” said Kester. “So when we started our program, we wanted to make sure it was relevant across a broader range of both students and faculty. Our emphasis is on writing to learn, to foster critical thinking. This study also shows that those who complete WAC/WID redesigned courses feel more confidence in their writing abilities, which will help them be more successful in future classes.”
Since the program’s inception, nearly 60 DSC faculty have revised their courses to reflect WAC/WID principles. Learn more about DSC’s WAC/WID program at daytonastate.edu/cwc/wacwid.html. For the full article, click here.
Boom or Bust: What Lies Ahead for Florida’s Economy in 2017?
Get the experts’ take in the latest edition of Florida’s Bottom Line
Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater today announced the release of the 2017 winter edition of Florida’s Bottom Line, his award-winning, quarterly online economic magazine focused on providing the latest news and insightful analysis on Florida’s economic and financial health. The winter edition highlights Florida’s future economic environment, the stripping of federal regulatory burdens, and what the expansion of Florida’s residential and visiting population mean for the state. In addition, an inside look into Florida’s business rent tax is offered in this edition of Florida’s Bottom Line. 
“Florida’s economy is on the right track, and we’re entering 2017 well-positioned to continue making positive strides,” said CFO Atwater. “As we embark on this new year, it’s important to recognize that Florida’s economic future will continue to be shaped by the perseverance of Florida’s hardworking business leaders and workforce.”
In addition to CFO Atwater, this edition of Florida’s Bottom Line features guest articles from economic leaders who have offered their insight and opinion on the future of Florida’s economy. Here’s what they have to say about Florida’s 2017 economic outlook:
“Since November of 2010 Florida has created 1.27 million jobs and in 2017 the state is well poised to add to this total,” said Sean Snaith, PhD, Director of University of Central Florida’s Institute for Economic Competitiveness. “Florida has managed this economic performance in the midst of a historically weak U.S. economic expansion.”
“Regulations were a central theme of the 2016 election,” said Patrick McLaughlin, PhD, Senior Research Fellow at the Mercatus Center. “While the new administration’s timeline for implementing regulatory changes remains unclear, the likelihood of any changes occurring in the administration’s first year largely depend on the legal mechanisms at its disposal. Many regulatory policies may be quickly abandoned with a stroke of the pen.”
“Florida is a national leader in quality roads and bridges, is home to some of the world’s busiest airports, an expanding rail system, 15 seaports, and the best space port on earth—all of which support international trade,” said Mark Wilson, President and CEO of the Florida Chamber of Commerce. “By 2030, Florida is projected to grow by six million residents, and welcome 150 million visitors every year. Now is the time to focus on the future—not only to avoid the headaches and costs that come with roadway congestion, but also to increase market share and job opportunities.”
“Florida can boast about a lot of things. We are a premier tourist destination with an improving education system and an attractive economic climate that creates thousands of jobs every year,” said Dominic Calabro, President and CEO of Florida TaxWatch. “However, the state can do more to improve the business climate to benefit both businesses and workers. One critical improvement is to reduce or eliminate the Business Rent Tax (BRT).”
To view the latest edition of Florida’s Bottom Line, and to subscribe to the publication, visit http://www.MyFloridaCFO.com/FloridasBottomLine/.
Florida Supreme Court: Regular Weekly Opinion Release, 1/19/2017, 11 a.m. ET
Filings for the Florida Supreme Court
January 19, 2017
SC14-814 – Donald Otis Williams v. State of Florida
SC14-860 – Thomas Daugherty v. State of Florida
SC14-1150 – Stanley Mccloud v. State of Florida
SC14-1967 & SC15-767 – Lancelot Uriley Armstrong v. State of Florida & Lancelot Uriley Armstrong v. Julie L. Jones, etc.
SC15-1256 & SC15-1762 – William M. Kopsho v. State of Florida & William M. Kopsho v. Julie L. Jones, etc.
SC15-1884 – Louis B. Gaskin v. State of Florida
Florida Realtors seeks student scholarship winners
Do you have kids currently in college, or maybe one who is about to graduate high school? Are they interested in a possible real estate-related career? Then find out more about the Student Scholarship Program offered through Florida Realtors® Education Foundation Inc., a not-for-profit corporation that provides real estate-related educational scholarships. But act fast: The application deadline for this year’s program is March 6, 2017.
“Florida Realtors and our Realtor members across the state take great pride in our student scholarship program,” says Vince Prince, chairman of Florida Realtors Education Foundation. “Helping these young people and investing in Florida’s future is one way that we give back to our communities. We feel privileged to be able to provide much-needed financial support to young Floridians struggling to realize their dreams for college and the future.”
With the program now in its eighth year, Florida Realtors has awarded a total of $1,140,300 in scholarship funding, which helped 686 students go to college or university, Price says.
This student scholarship program is open and available to students whose parents are Realtors or are licensed real estate practitioners, or whose parents are employed by any local Realtor board/association or by Florida Realtors, as well as any Florida student currently enrolled at a school (including home-schooled students or those attending a charter school.) It is based on an application form, which can be found on Florida Realtors’ website at www.floridarealtors.org/AboutFar/Scholarships/index.cfm
Who can apply for the scholarships? Any Florida high school senior who will be attending an undergraduate college or university; any student currently enrolled in an undergraduate college or university (any major); or any student pursuing a graduate degree is eligible. There are no limitations as to location of the college or university attended, provided the applicant indicates the intent to return to work in Florida after graduation. Proof of the student’s legal Florida residency is required, however.
Scholarships start at $1,000; the number of scholarships and dollar amounts awarded may vary each year and are determined by the Education Foundation’s Board of Directors. Criteria to be considered include, but aren’t limited to: academic achievements, financial need, relationship to the Realtor family, and contributions to family, school and community. The Foundation’s Board of Directors has “sole and absolute discretion” over all decisions as to whether an applicant qualifies.
An important reminder to all applicants: The Florida Realtors Education Foundation Scholarship application is only available online at https://floridarealtorsfref.fluidreview.com/. Please note that applications may not be mailed or faxed in for this scholarship. Only the applications submitted through this website will be eligible for review.
Remember, you have until March 6 at noon to fill out the online application for the Florida Realtors Education Foundation’s student scholarship program. To find the application form and check out FAQs, go to: www.floridarealtors.org/AboutFar/Scholarships/index.cfm
Florida Realtors® serves as the voice for real estate in Florida. It provides programs, services, continuing education, research and legislative representation to its 165,000 members in 55 boards/associations. Florida Realtors® Media Center website is available at http://media.floridarealtors.org.
Florida Poly Students Now Eligible to Apply for Federal Student Aid
Students at Florida Polytechnic University are now eligible to apply for Federal Student Aid after the University successfully completed a series of steps required by the US Department of Education. This new designation for Florida Poly means current and prospective students can submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2016-17 academic year to help cover their education costs.
“For many students, the ability to receive Federal Aid can mean the difference between attending college or not,” said Florida Poly President Dr. Randy K. Avent. “To be able to offer this option is another significant step forward for us as a university. It will certainly help Florida Poly attract and retain high-achieving students who can help meet our state’s growing demand for innovation.”
Florida Poly encourages all of its students to complete the FAFSA. Once the application is submitted, the school will coordinate with the Department of Education to determine what types of Federal Aid would be available for each student. Florida Poly can now be found in FAFSA’s list of schools for both the 2016-17 and 2017-18 applications.
Florida Poly’s Federal School Code is 042634.
The University received approval to participate in Federal Student Aid programs after completing all the steps required by the Federal Government. Those steps included:
- Establishing financial aid policies within the school;
- Demonstrating proof of working systems and structures that will help in the administration of Federal Aid;
- Participating in the audit of numerous financial statements showing no deficiencies; and
- Receiving a minimum of Candidacy Status with the regional accrediting body, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
“Our main focus at Florida Poly is to provide our students a great education and ultimately help them become leaders in their field,” said Scott Rhodes Vice Provost of Enrollment. “It’s important that students here have all the necessary resources to succeed, including access to Federal Aid.”
University officials plan to begin the Federal Aid program at Florida Poly during the Spring 2017 semester by offering Pell Grants, which are need-based grants for low-income students. Florida Poly will not start other programs such as Direct Loans, PLUS Loans, or any other federal aid programs until after the 2016-17 academic year has been completed.
During Florida Poly’s first two years as a university, all full-time students received Florida Poly Financial Aid Scholarships. Those scholarships, granted in collaboration with the University Foundation, will still be available to students based on both merit and need.
“Through our Florida Poly Financial Aid Scholarships, many of our students have been able to achieve their academic goals,” said Director of Financial Aid, Eric Callueng. “The addition of Federal Student Aid gives our students even more options to help them cover the cost of education.”
Gov. Scott: We Are Heartbroken to Hear of the Loss of Floridian and U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Austin Ruiz
Today, Governor Rick Scott issued a statement in response to the death of Floridian Lance Cpl. Austin Ruiz following a training accident. Lance Cpl. Ruiz, 19, of Naples, Florida, served as a combat engineer with 3rd Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force based in Okinawa, Japan. Governor Scott will honor the memory and sacrifice of Lance Cpl. Ruiz by ordering the lowering of flags in the coming days.
Governor Scott said, “Ann and I are heartbroken to hear of the loss of Floridian and U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Austin Ruiz. Like all of our incredible servicemen and women, Austin put his life on the line in order to defend our families and our freedom, and we will do all we can to honor his sacrifice. We join all Floridians in mourning for this fallen hero and praying for his many loved ones during this unimaginably difficult time. We hope that they may find comfort in remembering Austin’s bravery and dedication to selflessly serving our country.”
Florida Forest Service Celebrates Florida’s Arbor Day, Encourages Communities to Become Tree City USA Certified
To celebrate Florida’s Arbor Day on Friday, Jan. 20, the Florida Forest Service will join communities throughout the state in several tree planting projects, tree seedling giveaways and forestry education activities to highlight the benefits of trees. Florida’s Arbor Day is held each year on the third Friday in January. A list of Florida’s Arbor Day festivities in your area can be found on the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ events calendar.
“Florida’s Arbor Day is about highlighting the countless ways trees make Florida a special place to live,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam. “I am proud of our forest rangers who not only maintain 1 million acres throughout Florida’s 37 state forests, but also educate communities about the importance of trees.”
In Florida, 173 communities have taken a proactive role managing trees and are recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation as official Tree City USA communities.
“The Tree City USA program is a great way for communities, large or small, to come together to manage and expand their public trees,” said Jim Karels, Florida State Forester. “This Arbor Day, we encourage all Florida communities to work with their local county forester to become official Tree City USA communities.”
Communities can achieve Tree City USA status by meeting four core standards of sound urban forestry management, including: maintaining a tree board or department, having a community tree ordinance, spending at least $2 per capita on urban forestry and celebrating Arbor Day.
The Florida Forest Service, a division of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, manages more than 1 million acres of state forests and provides forest management assistance on more than 17 million acres of private and community forests. The Florida Forest Service is also responsible for protecting homes, forestland and natural resources from the devastating effects of wildfire on more than 26 million acres. Learn more at FloridaForestService.com.
For more information about the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FreshFromFlorida.com
Attorney General Bondi sues tobacco companies for violating settlement obligations
Attorney General Pam Bondi today filed an enforcement motion against ITG Brands, LLC f/k/a Lignum-2 LLC (ITG) and R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company (RJR) to enforce the explicit terms of the tobacco settlement agreement dated Aug. 25, 1997. That agreement resolved Florida’s landmark 1995 lawsuit against RJR and the other major tobacco companies seeking relief from decades of past unlawful actions relating to the marketing and sale of cigarettes.
Pursuant to that agreement, RJR and the other major tobacco companies agreed to make annual payments to Florida of several hundred million dollars, in perpetuity. The annual payments compensate Florida for the past and future public health care expenses from its citizens’ consumption of the settling defendants’ cigarettes.
RJR recently sold three of its most iconic cigarette brands, Winston, Kool and Salem, along with a legacy Lorillard Tobacco Company brand, Maverick, to ITG for $7 billion. These four brands accounted for approximately 17 billion cigarettes sold in 2016, eight percent of the domestic tobacco market.
RJR has refused to include the sales of these cigarette brands when making annual payments to Florida, despite not having been released from its payment obligations. ITG has similarly refused to make any payment to Florida even after agreeing with RJR to assume the payment obligations for these iconic brands. The exact same cigarette brands continue to be sold to Floridians, thus imposing the very public health care expenditures that the settlement payments are intended to compensate.
“The sale of major, pre-existing tobacco brands to another company for billions of dollars does not cause the payment obligations to vanish like a puff of smoke,” said Attorney General Bondi. “I look forward to the state obtaining prompt relief.”
According to the enforcement motion, both RJR and ITG are liable for millions of dollars of missed payments to Florida on these brands. The motion seeks the entry of an order requiring payment to Florida for the past and future sales of these cigarettes and directing RJR and ITG to provide the necessary information to accurately calculate the amounts owed pursuant to reporting requirements under the settlement agreement.
To view a copy of the enforcement motion, click here.
