Florida Insurance Commissioner David Altmaier has issued a Final Order granting approval to the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) for a statewide overall rate level decrease of 9.5% and premium level decrease of 9.8%. This applies to both new and renewal workers’ compensation insurance policies effective in Florida as of January 1, 2018.
“I am pleased that today’s approval of NCCI’s rate filing will translate into a decrease in workers’ compensation rates for many Florida employers,” stated Commissioner Altmaier. “The Office will continue to monitor the marketplace and support reforms that provide additional cost savings for Florida’s businesses.”
“Florida’s job creators will no doubt appreciate this significant cost savings, a step that will support our state’s growing economy,” said Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis. “I’m pleased to see the cost of business going down, and as the Legislature looks at our workers’ compensation system, I will be working with them on proposals to lock in these lowering rates.”
NCCI received this approval after submitting an amended rate filing to the Office on November 7, 2017, which met the stipulations of an Order issued by the Commissioner on October 31, 2017.
For more information about the NCCI public hearing and rate filing, visit the Office’s “NCCI Public Rate Hearing” webpage.
Florida
Senate Advances Legislation to Expand Bright Futures Scholarship
SB 4 Secures Permanent Expansion of Bright
Futures Academic and Medallion Scholarships
Senate Bill 4, the Florida Excellence in Higher Education Act of 2018, sponsored by Senator Bill Galvano (R-Bradenton), today passed the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Higher Education. The legislation expands the state university and student financial aid portions of the higher education agenda advanced last session in the Senate, a top priority of Senate President Joe Negron (R-Stuart). The bill includes provisions for the permanent expansion of the Bright Futures Academic Scholar award at 100 percent of tuition and fees, and the Bright Futures Medallion Scholar award at 75 percent of tuition and fees.
“Senate Bill 4 will help alleviate some of the financial burdens facing Florida students and their families,” said Senator Galvano. “Financial security enables students to put their focus where it should be, on their academic success and graduating on time. A permanent expansion of Bright Futures and flexible tuition policies, combined with continued investments in need-based student financial aid will make on-time graduation much more attainable for students across our state.”
“This week I had the opportunity to meet with several representatives of student government organizations at our state universities. These dedicated students are excited about the permanent expansion of Bright Futures and the ability for students to plan their investment in a college or university education with more certainty,” said President Negron. “Florida has some of the brightest students in the nation. Senate Bill 4 sends a strong message that if students work hard to earn the privilege to attend one of our great state colleges or universities, financial insecurities will not stand in the way of their dream of pursuing a higher education.”
Summary of Senate Bill 4 – The Florida Excellence in Higher Education Act of 2018
PRESERVE ACCESS AND AFFORDABILITY FOR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES
Senate Bill 4 expands merit-based and need-based financial aid funding and establishes flexible tuition policies available to families so every student in Florida who qualifies and earns the privilege to attend one of our state universities has the opportunity to pursue a higher education.
Expands Student Financial Assistance and Support
- Expands need-based state aid, and university or college gift aid, for students with demonstrated financial need.
- Expands the First Generation Matching Grant Program to include community college students and doubles the state match for private donations supporting the program (2:1 match).
- Creates a new Florida Farmworker Student Scholarship for children of migrant families to earn technical and college credentials.
- Expands merit-based state gift aid for high-performing students.
- Reinstates full funding of the Bright Futures Florida Academic Scholar award at 100 percent of tuition and fees, plus $300 in fall and spring semesters to cover instructional materials and other costs, beginning in this 2017-2018 academic year.
- Guarantees funding for 2018 summer term tuition and fees for Bright Futures Florida Academic Scholar awards.
- Reinstates funding for the Bright Futures Florida Medallion Scholar award at 75 percent of tuition and fees for fall and spring semesters, beginning in fall semester of the 2018-2019 academic year.
- Expands Benacquisto Scholarship awards (full cost of attendance) to recruit out-of-state National Merit Scholar award winners.
Establishes Flexible Tuition and Fee Policies
- Requires universities to implement an institutional block tuition and fee policy for full-time, in-state, undergraduate resident students.
- Fall 2018 semester implementation for at least the entering freshman class – may be extended to include other students.
- Must accommodate full-time student enrollment in at least 30 credits across any combination of fall, spring, or summer terms of the academic year.
- Must maximize accelerated and transfer credit to facilitate on-time graduation and minimize excess hours.
- Must be publicly approved by university boards of trustees and the Board of Governors, with updates and progress reports provided to the Legislature.
Increases Student Access to Internship and Job Opportunities
- Requires each state university to use labor market projections and related degree production analyses to identify internship opportunities for students to benefit from industry experts and mentors, earn industry certifications, and become employed in high-demand fields.
RECRUIT AND RETAIN TOP FACULTY
Senate Bill 4 expands and enhances policy and funding tools state universities can leverage to recruit and retain the very best faculty, enrich professional and graduate school strength and viability, and bring aging infrastructure and research laboratories into the 21st century.
Establishes World Class Faculty Scholar Program
- Creates the World Class Faculty Scholar Program to help universities
Establishes University Professional and Graduate Degree Excellence Program
- Creates the University Professional and Graduate Degree Excellence Program to promote quality and GAA.
ELEVATE UNIVERSITY DISTINCTION AND NATIONAL PROMINENCE
Senate Bill 4 ensures universities remain accountable to Florida taxpayers by refining university performance expectations to incentivize and reward state university performance excellence and recognition in academics, instruction, research, and community accomplishments and achievements.
Incentivizes On-Time Graduation of Full-Time Students
- Refines university performance expectations to incentivize and reward institutions for graduating full-time bachelor degree students in four years.
- Preeminent State Research University: Upgrades the graduation metric to a 4-year graduation rate of 60 percent or higher. The current metric is a 6-year rate at 70 percent or higher. The bill provides one transitional year for any university having earned preeminent or emerging preeminent status based on the 2018 determination under current metrics to maintain that status for the 2018-19 academic year and receive 2018-19 preeminence funds accordingly.
- University Performance Incentive Funding: Updates metrics to specify a 4-year graduation rate and require benchmarks for the “access” metric that reward institutions for performance success in serving Pell grant students.
- Tightens state university relationships with their direct-support organizations’ leadership, use of funds, and public disclosure activities.
Promotes State University Programs of Excellence
- Directs the Board of Governors to establish standards and measures to recognize, enhance, and promote individual degree programs in state universities across the system, which reflect national excellence, prominence, and distinction.
For more information, please visit www.FLSenate.gov.
Florida Associations Pump $3.7 Billion Into Florida's Economy
Florida Associations Have $3.7 Billion Impact on Florida According to
New Research Released by the Florida Society of Association Executives
The Florida Society of Association Executives (FSAE) today announced Florida’s 1,000 largest associations have a $3.7 billion impact on the Sunshine State. These associations directly employ 15,000 people, spending more than $778 million in employee payroll and supporting more than 88,000 jobs through expenditures according to the research produced by Downs & St. Germain Research and sponsored in part by Partners in Association Management.
“The economic impact of Florida’s associations is real and it’s powerful,” said FSAE Chair Vicki Long, CAE. “Whether in Tallahassee, Orlando or Miami, the fiscal impact of the not-for-profit sector on local business is huge and one that should be recognized statewide as a major component in the state’s economic engine.”
More than $75 million in property, payroll, sales and other taxes flow directly from Florida’s largest associations into local and state government coffers each year. Additionally, more than 4.12 million attendees provide sales and other tax revenue to the municipalities and counties hosting the associations’ 40,500+ meetings annually.
“In-person meetings are an essential part of association membership and culture,” said FSAE President/CEO Frank Rudd CAE, CMP. “Associations are established to bring industry businesses and professionals together to improve the professions they serve and set core standards to protect Florida’s consumers. From small in-person board and committee meetings to large educational conferences and events, the meetings that association members participate in not only help the associations, but have a direct impact on local businesses and economies.”
According to Long, “Through these interactions, and beyond the numbers, professional and trade associations provide cutting-edge face-to-face training and education to improve performance, establish and enforce ethical standards and advocate for efficient regulation that is sensitive to the real-world need of Florida’s businesses to thrive in the global marketplace.”
As of October 2017, the IRS reports 2,873 501(c)6 organizations are headquartered in Florida and filed a tax return in the last year. The travel industry is one of the major benefactors of Florida largest associations as more than 4.1 million association members and staff traveled to attend board meetings, committee meetings, conferences, conventions, trade shows and education programs in 2016. Attendees also purchased more than 850,000 airline tickets to travel to meetings in 2016 and made more than 1.2 million rental car reservations. Additionally, members and staff of Florida’s 1,000 largest associations spend more than 3.6 million nights in hotels over a one year period.
“Florida is a hotbed of association activity,” said Bennett Napier, M.S., CAE, President/CEO of Partners in Association Management. “The state has the third largest concentration of not-for-profit associations behind Washington, D.C., and Chicago. The direct and indirect economic impact of this important business sector is quite significant for the Sunshine State. We greatly appreciate the work of FSAE in conducting and publishing the research, and our company was honored to help support the effort.”
For more information on FSAE’s economic impact study, CLICK HERE.
About the Florida Society of Association Executives
The Florida Society of Association Executives (FSAE) fosters collaboration of association management professionals through networking and educational events, online communities and best-practice resources. With more than 1,100 members, FSAE has been serving the association industry throughout Florida for more than 55 years.
Governor Scott Recognizes Four Florida Veterans with Governor’s Medal of Merit
During a meeting of the Florida Cabinet today, Governor Rick Scott recognized Florida veterans Judge T. Patt Maney, Lieutenant Colonel John Steele, Colonel John Pelleriti and Paul Martel with the Governor’s Medal of Merit.
Governor Scott said, “I’m honored to recognize these veterans with Medals of Merit today. They have courageously served our country and they continue to serve their veteran communities. I am proud to join all of Florida in recognizing them as selfless American heroes.”
About the Medal of Merit Recipients
Judge T. Patt Maney
Judge T. Patt Maney is a retired Army Reserve Brigadier General and Okaloosa County Judge and an advocate for Florida veterans. During a deployment to Afghanistan in 2005, Judge Maney sustained a traumatic brain when a roadside bomb detonated under their vehicle. After multiple surgeries and thousands of hours of physical therapy, Judge Maney regained his cognitive ability and continued on to serve as a county judge. In 2012, Governor Rick Scott signed “The T. Patt Maney Veterans’ Treatment Intervention Act” into law, which authorized the establishment of veterans’ court to address the substance abuse and mental health needs of veterans within Florida’s criminal justice system. More than 30 Veterans Courts are now in operation in Florida.
Lieutenant Colonel John L. Steele
Lieutenant Colonel John Steele currently serves as the Florida Air National Guard Advisor to the State Emergency Operations Center’s Air Operations Branch. During Hurricane Irrma, Lt. Col. Steele helped coordinate early integration of air mobility and rescue assets including over 800 mobility sorties that moved over 3,500 people and over 1,300 tons of equipment. Lt Col Steele’s 27-year career of outstanding service includes two deployments involving combat flight operations over Bosnia and six deployments in support of the Global War on Terror.
Colonel John Pelleriti
Colonel Pelleriti’s exceptional 25-year distinguished career as an Active Duty Officer and Florida Guardsman have included increasingly responsible key command and staff positions, as well as three overseas deployments to safeguard our “American Way of Life.” Recently, under the direction of the Adjutant General of Florida, Col. Pelleriti lead the military response to Hurricane Irma, which has been recognized by senior officials of the Department of Defense for their good work.
Paul Martel
Paul Martel is an Army veteran and formerly served as a national vice commander of The American Legion, the nation’s largest wartime veterans’ service organization. A life member of the American Legion, he has held every post from State Commander in 2008-2009 to national sergeant-at-arms from 2009-2010. From 2010 – 2015, Martel served as chairman of the Florida Veterans Council.
Florida Lawmakers Announce Legislation Targeting “Modern-Day Piracy” by Bringing Price Transparency for Florida Boaters
Sen. Dana Young & Rep. Shawn Harrison sponsor bills to
protect Florida boaters from unexpected fees for salvage claims
Florida’s boaters will enjoy greater peace of mind on our state’s waters thanks to legislation filed by Sen. Dana Young and Rep. Shawn Harrison. The related bills, SB 664 and HB 469, would require maritime salvage and towing companies to provide boaters with the option of a written cost estimate before rendering assistance on the water. The legislation aims to put a stop to the predatory practice of those salvage operators who provide relatively minor assistance to boaters and then charge outrageous fees by labeling the service a “salvage claim.”
“The actions of a limited number of these companies amount to a form of modern-day piracy, and it must stop. Unfortunately, there have been some terrible abuses in a system that many boat owners rely on,” Sen. Young said. “Consumers throughout the state have felt misinformed and misled by vague salvage claim fees that crop up when they request assistance on the water. This legislation will give Florida boaters the transparency they expect, and the confidence they deserve, in the maritime salvage and towing industry.”
The reforms incorporated into this legislation will require operators to provide a written estimate if the cost of service could be more than $500. The final bill may not exceed 20 percent of that written estimate, and a boater may waive the written estimate if they choose.
“Although this is an industry filled with many good people who provide a great service, there are some undeniable exceptions. A number of vulnerable Florida boaters have been taken advantage of by operators who stick them with unwarranted and unreasonable bills for services on the water,” said Rep. Harrison. “This legislation ensures that Florida boaters will not be taken advantage of, that payment expectations are clear, and that all maritime salvage and towing companies are held accountable.”
Federal maritime regulations and admiralty laws allow maritime salvage and towing operators the opportunity to sometimes classify assistance as a “salvage claim” and charge excessive fees. These fees can exceed tens of thousands of dollars and are often based on the value of the boat rather than the actual services performed.
“Last year, I received a $30,000 bill from a maritime salvage and towing company for removing excess water from my boat – a job that took less than 10 minutes,” said Eric Hull, a Florida boat owner victimized by this predatory practice. “After getting this shocking bill, I felt incredibly angry and knew something had to be done to address this issue. We need to make sure more people aren’t victimized by this predatory behavior.”
Public support for providing written cost estimates is strong. According to a recent survey of Florida boaters, almost four in five (79%) boat owners believe maritime salvage and towing companies should be required to provide a cost estimate before operators begin assistance.
“Our state’s coasts attract millions of tourists every year, which is why it’s imperative that lawmakers do everything they can to ensure that boaters on our waterways have the same consumer protections that we have come to expect on land,” said Brewster Bevis, Senior Vice President of State and Federal Affairs for Associated Industries of Florida. “Associated Industries of Florida fully supports this legislation, and we look forward to advocating for these reasonable consumer protections as they make their way through the legislative process.”
To view the full bill text, click here.
Florida’s Affordable Housing Programs: Real People, Real Stories, Real Impact
Florida Realtors®, the state’s largest professional trade association, has launched a new video and study to demonstrate the positive impact affordable housing programs have on Floridians and their communities. These resources give Florida’s lawmakers a clear picture of the return on investment of the funds they appropriate to the State Housing Initiatives Partnership Program (SHIP) and the State Apartment Incentive Loan (SAIL) program.
“The state and local government housing trust funds do so much good for so many, but it is not always easy to see their direct impact both on people and the economy,” says 2017 Florida Realtors Secretary Cheryl Lambert, who also served as the immediate past chair of the state association’s Attainable/Workforce Housing Committee. “This is all about educating our legislators on the true value of these trust funds. We know they have hard decisions to make, and that’s why it’s important they see first-hand the effect of those decisions.”
The video, called “True Stories of Florida’s Affordable Housing Trust Funds,” features several Floridians who talk about the obstacles and tragedies they faced in their lives and how finding an affordable home helped them achieve stability. They include a previously homeless woman in West Pam Beach, a U.S. Army veteran in Clearwater, a senior in Hernando and a law enforcement officer in Tallahassee.
“Each of these stories is heartbreaking – but also triumphant when you consider how far these people have come and how they were able to use these programs to rebuild their lives,” says Lambert.
The affordable housing study, which was commissioned by Florida Realtors and conducted by the Florida State University Center for Economic Forecasting and Analyses, breaks down the economic impact of the SHIP and SAIL programs for each of Florida’s 67 counties from 2006 – 2016. Of the $1.3 billion appropriated for these programs during that timeframe, $12.54 billion was generated in sales and revenues, 94,149 people were employed and $2.97 billion in wages was earned. This means that for every dollar the Legislature appropriated over those 10 years, $9.5 was generated by SHIP and SAIL programs in economic activity for the state.
The study also projects the economic impact of these programs all the way through to 2030, with results showing an average of 4,178 jobs a year, $1.02 billion in economic output each year and $274 million a year in earned wages.
“We wanted the video to focus on the human side of the these affordable housing programs because that is what really matters in the end,” says Lambert. “But we knew the economic impact results would have a story to tell as well. All I can say is wow, what an impressive story it ended up being.”
The State Housing Initiatives Partnership Program provides very low, low and moderate income families with assistance to purchase a home, money to repair or replace a home and many other types of housing assistance. The State Apartment Incentive Loan program provides low-interest loans on a competitive basis to affordable housing developers each year.
Gov. Scott Proposes $180 Million in Tax Cuts for Florida Families
Governor Rick Scott today announced that he will propose $180 million in tax cuts for Florida families as part of his 2018-2019 recommended budget. The Governor’s proposal includes sales tax holidays to help families prepare for the school year and hurricane season, and reductions to many of the fees on driver’s licenses. Since 2010, the Governor has cut taxes more than 75 times, saving Floridians more than $7.5 billion. In August, Governor Scott also announced that he will propose an amendment to Florida’s Constitution to make it harder for politicians to raise taxes by requiring a supermajority vote by future Florida legislatures to raise any taxes or fees. Read more HERE.
Governor Scott said, “I am proud to announce today that during the upcoming legislative session, I will fight to cut $180 million in taxes for families. This includes sales tax holidays to help families get prepared for the school year and for hurricane season, which is especially important following the devastation we saw from Hurricane Irma. I am also proposing to roll back many driver’s license fees, which will put money back into pockets of virtually every Florida family. These fees were raised in 2009 before I came into office, and I am proud to cut them by more than 58 percent to help every Floridian when they renew their license.
“Over the past seven years, we have worked relentlessly to turn around Florida’s economy and the results are clear – our unemployment rate has dropped to a more than ten year low of 3.8 percent, business have created more than 1.3 million private sector jobs and we have been able to make historic investments in education, transportation and our environment. All of this was accomplished while cutting taxes more than 75 times, saving more than $7.5 billion for Florida families and job creators. Cutting taxes works and the rest of the nation needs to follow Florida’s lead. I am also fighting to make it harder for politicians to raise taxes in the future and I look forward to working with the Legislature during the upcoming session on these proposals.”
Governor Scott’s $180 million tax cut package includes:
- Sales Tax Holidays to Save Families $88 Million – The Governor’s recommended budget includes funding for four sales tax holidays which will save Floridians an estimated $88 million in the upcoming fiscal year. These sales tax holidays include:
- $73 million from a 10-day back-to-school sales tax holiday; and
- $15 million from three one-week disaster preparedness sales tax holidays which would take place in May, June and July.
- Reduction in Driver’s License Fees to Save Floridians $87 Million – Governor Scott is proposing to reduce the fees for driver’s licenses. These fees were increased in 2009, prior to Governor Scott taking office. These fee cuts include:
- $67 million in savings from reducing the fee for a renewal of a regular driver’s license by more than 58 percent from $48 to $20; and
- $20 million in savings from reducing the fee on an original regular driver’s license by more than 43 percent from $48 to $27 and the fee on an original Commercial Driver’s License by more than 10 percent from $75 to $67.
- Reduction in Traffic Citation Fines to Save Floridians $4 Million – Governor Scott is proposing to reinstate the 18 percent reduction of eligible traffic citation fines, which was repealed in 2009 prior to Governor Scott taking office, for individuals who attend a basic driver improvement school.
More details on the Governor’s proposed budget will be made available in the coming weeks.
Statewide Paychecks for Patriots Events Begin for Florida Veterans
Governor Rick Scott and the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) today are proud to announce the official start of the 2017 Paychecks for Patriots events, which connect veterans with great careers in their communities. To celebrate Veterans Day this month, DEO is partnering with the CareerSource Florida network, the Florida National Guard, the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs and participating Florida employers to hold job fairs for veterans and their families.
Governor Rick Scott said, “The annual Paychecks for Patriots events provide our brave veterans the opportunities they need to get great jobs in our state, and is one more way we are working to keep Florida the most military-friendly state in the nation. As a veteran myself, I urge all Florida job creators to participate in these important events, and we will continue to do all we can to recognize our military members and veterans for their service and sacrifice.”
CareerSource Florida centers across the state will be hosting Paychecks for Patriots events Nov. 6-10, 2017, to help build connections between veteran jobseekers and Florida’s job creators. The employers will include national companies, as well as many local employers. More than 1,800 military and veteran candidates and their family members who participated in prior Paychecks for Patriots events across the state have gained employment.
Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Executive Director Cissy Proctor said, “The Paychecks for Patriots hiring fairs help connect the hardworking people who served our country with the jobs they deserve. Veterans and their families have unique skills, and this career fair gives employers the chance to offer life-changing employment to these specialized candidates. These important events are held throughout the state and show that our local communities are committed to making Florida the most military- and veteran-friendly state in the nation.”
The CareerSource Florida network includes more than 155 workforce professionals statewide, themselves veterans, who are dedicated specifically to assisting other veterans with finding employment year-round. These professionals include specialists who provide intensive services to meet the needs of veterans with service-related disabilities. The CareerSource Florida network helped more than 54,200 veterans with employment services this past year.
CareerSource Florida President and CEO Michelle Dennard said, “Our military veterans and their families make significant contributions to our communities through their talents, skills and dedication. The CareerSource Florida network is honored to serve those who served our country, and is gratified to have helped thousands of veterans secure employment this year.”
Events will be held across Florida during the month of November. More details are available at www.floridajobs.org/paychecksforpatriots.
View Governor Scott’s 2017 Paychecks for Patriots proclamation by clicking here.
Florida Senator Dana Young Files Children's Initiative Bill to Establish Community Improvement Areas for Children in Tampa & Miami
Florida Senator Dana Young (R-Tampa) today announced she has filed Senate Bill 720, relating to children’s programs in economically challenged areas. SB720 will amend Florida statute to create the Tampa Sulphur Springs Neighborhood of Promise (SSNOP) Success Zone in Hillsborough County and the Overtown Children and Youth Coalition in Miami-Dade County as part of the statewide Florida’s Children’s Initiatives, which was established in 2008.
“I am proud to sponsor legislation that will designate two new areas as Florida Children’s Initiatives – in Tampa and Miami – to focus on sustainable solutions relating to safety, health and education for our children,” said Senator Young. “The expansion of these community improvement areas to include SSNOP in Tampa and Overtown in Miami will immensely benefit those children that are socioeconomically disadvantaged in these areas.”
In detail, this legislation will add SSNOP and the Overtown Children and Youth Coalition to the current program initiatives to address the academic needs of lower economic community by providing after-school and summer programs and scholarships for early learning, transitioning youth from high school to post-secondary education, and structuring student-family support systems.
“This initiative has shown positive impacts statewide where community improvement areas have already been established, such as declining juvenile arrests and decreases in crime, coupled with increases in GPA and test scores, among others,” said Senator Young. “I look forward to working with my fellow lawmakers this upcoming Legislative Session to ensure this important bill is passed.”
To read the bills Senator Young has filed in full, please visit FLSenate.gov/Senators/S18.
Senator Tom Lee Files Three Proposed Amendments to Florida's Constitution
Senator Tom Lee announced today the filing of three separate constitutional amendments. As a member of Florida’s Constitution Revision Commission (CRC), Senator Lee serves with thirty-six commissioners tasked with reviewing Florida’s Constitution and proposing changes for voter consideration. Any amendments that pass the CRC’s final vote are placed on the 2018 General Election ballot.
PROPOSAL 67: BAN DOG RACING IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA.
If adopted, Florida will join forty other states in putting an end to the practice.
“There is growing recognition that many of these animals live in inhumane conditions, a reality that is out of line with the moral standard of Floridians,” Senator Lee said. “For over a decade, the Legislature has fought to end greyhound racing, but special interests derail the issue every year. Now is our opportunity to finally end the mistreatment of greyhounds, reduce the amount of gambling in our state, and restore community values.”
PROPOSAL 66: ALTER THE ROLE OF FLORIDA’S LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR TO CREATE MORE VALUE FOR TAXPAYERS.
“Floridians pay more than $265,000 annually to employ a Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of State, yet the Lieutenant Governor has almost no formal responsibilities,” Senator Lee said. “This is an opportunity to combine the two positions, eliminating wasteful spending and creating a more efficient and streamlined government. This amendment gives the Lieutenant Governor specific constitutional responsibilities and ensures that our Chief Elections Official is elected by and accountable to the people.”
Under the proposal, the Lieutenant Governor would become Florida’s Chief of Elections, Chief Cultural Officer, State Protocol Officer, head of the Department of State, and will have the power to cast the tie-breaking vote in the Florida Senate on the final passage of legislation.
PROPOSAL 68: INCREASE WATCHDOG AUTHORITY OVER STATE CONTRACTS AND SPENDING.
The proposed amendment authorizes Florida’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to participate in economic, demographic and state revenue estimating conferences, giving the position a seat at the table when it comes to projecting Florida’s fiscal future. Under current law, only the Governor and the Legislature have a voice in determining the amount of taxpayer money state government can spend in any given year.
“The people who spend the money should not have the exclusive authority to decide how much money to spend,” Senator Lee said. “Adding the CFO to the discussion lends an objective voice and creates a necessary system of checks and balances that one would expect to see in any responsible corporate governance structure.”
The amendment also gives the CFO, as Florida’s constitutionally mandated check writer, the ability to review and approve state contracts worth more than $10 million.
“Unfortunately, we’ve seen instances where our agencies have not been good stewards with public monies,” Senator Lee said. “Giving the CFO the proper tools on the front end allows them to act as a watchdog and hold state contractors accountable on the back end.”
For more information on the CRC and to view each proposal, visit flcrc.gov.
