Capital Soup

Florida News Straight From the Source

You are here: Home / Archives for Senator Bill Galvano

Senator Bill Galvano

Republican Caucus Selects Senator Bill Galvano as President-Designate

Posted on

Senator Galvano to Serve as Senate President for the 2018-20 Legislative Term

The Florida Senate Republican Caucus, led by Senate Majority Leader Wilton Simpson (R-Trilby), today unanimously selected Senator Bill Galvano (R-Bradenton) as the President-Designate for the 2018-20 Legislative Term.
“Today, in the presence of his family and friends, the Republican Caucus officially designated Bill Galvano as the next President of the Florida Senate,” said Leader Simpson. “Bill is a true statesman. His intelligence, his ability to do the things that have to be done, and his commitment to serving others will allow for great things to happen in the Senate.”
Leader Simpson and Senate President Joe Negron (R-Stuart) presided over today’s ceremony. President Negron’s term as Senate President will conclude at the 2018 General Election.
“Bill is a strong and dedicated leader who quickly earned the trust and confidence of our Republican Caucus,” said President Negron. “From his service as Rules Chair in the Florida House, to his time as Majority Leader in the Florida Senate, to his current role as Chair of Higher Education Appropriations, time and time again Bill is trusted with and excels in critical leadership positions.”
Senator Galvano was nominated for Senate President-Designate by Senator Tom Lee (R-Thonotosassa), who served as Senate President from 2004-06. The nomination was seconded by Senator Jeff Brandes (R-St. Petersburg). Senator Galvano was joined by his wife Julie and their three children, Michael, William, and Jacqueline. Senator Galvano’s mother, Betty Galvano, also attended today’s ceremony along with Sterling and MaryJean Forrester, parents of Mrs. Julie Galvano, as well as extended family and close friends.
“I am honored by the trust and confidence my fellow Republican Senators have placed in me and extremely grateful to my family for their support,” said President-Designate Galvano. “I firmly believe the power of the Senate and its ability to serve the people of Florida at the highest effectiveness lies in maximizing the strengths, backgrounds, perspectives, skills, and talents of each and every member of this body. I take the responsibility to serve as the President-Designate very seriously and look forward to working with President Negron, Leader Simpson, and all of my Senate colleagues to ensure that every Senator has the opportunity to voice the priorities of their constituents.”
Video of President-Designate Galvano’s full acceptance speech can be found via the Florida Channel at www.TheFloridaChannel.org.
Senator William Saint “Bill” Galvano and his family are longtime residents of Bradenton, Florida. Senator Galvano served in the Florida House of Representatives from 2002-10, during which he served a term as Chair of the House Rules and Calendar Council from 2008-10, under House Speaker Larry Cretul.  Elected to the Florida Senate in 2012, Senator Galvano currently represents Senate District 21, which consists of Manatee County and part of Hillsborough County. Senator Galvano has held several leadership positions in the Senate, including serving a term as Senate Majority (Republican) Leader from 2014-2016, under Senate President Andy Gardiner. A graduate of Manatee Community College, the University of Florida, and the University of Miami Law School, Senator Galvano is a partner with the law firm Grimes Goebel Grimes Hawkins Gladfelter & Galvano of Bradenton.

Senator Galvano Files Legislation to Expand Bright Futures Scholarship

Posted on

SB 4 Secures Permanent Expansion of Bright
Futures Academic and Medallion Scholarships

Senator Bill Galvano (R-Bradenton) today filed Senate Bill 4, the Florida Excellence in Higher Education Act of 2018. The legislation expands the state university and student financial aid portions of the higher education agenda the Senate advanced last session, a top priority of Senate President Joe Negron (R-Stuart), including a 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.
“In addition to securing full funding for the Bright Futures Academic Scholar award starting this academic year, Senate Bill 4 also reinstates funding for the Bright Futures Medallion Scholar award at 75 percent of tuition and fees for fall and spring semesters, beginning in the 2018-19 academic year,” said President Negron. “These two changes ensure the permanent expansion of the Bright Futures Scholarship for approximately 94,000 students expected to qualify for new or renewed Bright Futures Academic and Medallion Scholarships.”
“A college or university education is a significant investment of both time and money. The permanent expansion of Bright Futures Academic and Medallion Scholarships, along with flexible tuition policies for full-time students will incentivize on-time graduation.   Providing an opportunity for advanced planning will help reduce the financial burden on students and families and improve both student retention and on-time graduation,” said Senator Galvano. “In addition, Senate Bill 4 provides an opportunity for advanced planning for our universities by instituting a transition period for universities seeking preeminence status to adjust to the new 4-year graduation rate for full-time students.”
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 recruit, recognize, and retain exemplary faculty, research scholars, and expert teams, as funded in the GAA.

Establishes University Professional and Graduate Degree Excellence Program

  • Creates the University Professional and Graduate Degree Excellence Program to promote quality and excellence in university professional schools, and improve graduate study outcomes in high-impact fields of medicine, law, and business, as funded in the 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.

Statement by Senator Galvano Regarding Comprehensive Gaming Legislation Filed Today

Posted on

Senator Bill Galvano (R-Bradenton) today released the following statement regarding Senate Bill 8, Gaming, which represents an important step in the development of a comprehensive, statewide approach to reforming current gaming laws.
“This legislation in large part builds upon Senate work that has taken place over the last several years.  My goal has been to address all aspects of gaming in a comprehensive manner that balances the interests of an industry that has contributed to Florida’s economy for nearly a hundred years, our ongoing revenue-sharing agreement with the Seminole Tribe of Florida, and the authority of local voters, while maximizing revenues to the state.
“The modifications within the bill represent a myriad of ideas advocated by various Senators and address industry concerns regarding antiquated and ambiguous provisions of current law. The bill balances the will of the voters who have authorized additional games and locations with a retraction of gaming permits across the state.
“Further negotiations to reach a new agreement with the Seminole Tribe of Florida are necessary. While this legislation represents an important step, there is still a great deal of work to be done. I look forward to discussing the bill further during the upcoming Senate committee meeting and continuing to work with Governor Scott, our colleagues in the Florida House, the Seminole Tribe, industry stakeholders and constituents across the state in the weeks to come.”

Senator Galvano Files Florida Excellence in Higher Education Act

Posted on

Senator Bill Galvano (R-Bradenton), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Higher Education, today filed two key components of the Senate’s Excellence in Higher Education Agenda for the 2017 Legislative Session. Senate Bill 2, the “Florida Excellence in Higher Education Act,” promotes on-time graduation by expanding student financial assistance and support, establishing tuition and fee incentives, streamlining 2+2 articulation, and strengthening mechanisms that keep colleges and universities accountable to Florida taxpayers. Senate Bill 4 expands policy and funding tools universities can leverage to recruit and retain the very best faculty, enhance professional and graduate schools, and improve aging infrastructure and research laboratories.
“These bills are key components of a comprehensive higher education agenda that will boost the strength and competitiveness of our state’s higher education system as our primary economic engine to drive vibrant, sustainable economic development and growth in high-paying jobs,” said Senate President Joe Negron (R-Stuart). “Florida taxpayers see a return worthy of their investment in our entire PreK-20 system when our top Florida students attend our own universities, complete degree programs on time, and then graduate with job opportunities in high-demand fields needed in our growing communities.”
“This package of policy enhancements and funding investments will elevate the prominence of our state universities and increase their ability to compete as national destination institutions, while preserving access and increasing affordability for Floridians,” said Senator Bill Galvano.
SENATE BILL 2 – THE FLORIDA EXCELLENCE IN HIGHER EDUCATION ACT
Expands Student Financial Assistance and Support

  • Reinstates highest Bright Futures Scholarship Program Award (Florida Academic Scholar) to cover 100 percent of tuition and certain tuition-indexed fees, including the summer term, plus $300 for textbooks and college-related expenses during the fall and spring terms.
  • Expands the Benacquisto Scholar Program to provide awards for qualified out-of-state students, as funded in the General Appropriations Act (GAA), equal to the highest cost of resident student attendance at a state university. The student must physically reside in the community of the university he or she is attending.
  • Revises the 1st Generation Matching Grant Program to provide two to one (state to local match versus one to one), as funded in the GAA.

Establishes Tuition and Fee Incentives
The Legislature has authorized state universities to implement flexible tuition policies to assist students in accessing higher education in our state. To date, no state university has implemented a block tuition policy.

  • Requires universities to implement a block tuition policy which must specify an in-state block tuition rate and an out-of-state block tuition rate for full-time undergraduate students. The block tuition policy must be publicly-approved by the university board of trustees and the Board of Governors in time for implementation by no later than the Fall 2018 semester.

Streamlines 2+2 Articulation

  • Establishes the 2+2 targeted pathway program to strengthen Florida’s 2+2 system of articulation and improve student retention and on-time graduation in four years with a baccalaureate degree.
  • Requires each community college to execute at least one 2+2 targeted pathway articulation agreement by the 2018-19 academic year. The articulation agreement must provide students who meet specified requirements guaranteed access to the state university and baccalaureate degree program in accordance with the terms of the agreement.
  • Requires district school boards to notify students and parents with accurate and timely information about how college credits generated in high school will apply towards a college degree.

Strengthens Mechanisms That Keep Colleges and Universities Accountable To Florida Taxpayers
Incentivizes full-time student graduation in four years by focusing institutional efforts on initiatives that reduce student time to, and costs of, on-time degree completion.

  • Upgrades State University System (SUS) Performance Metrics in Preeminence and Performance Funding programs: 
    • Tightens graduation rate expectations to four-year (from six-year) for a baccalaureate degree.
    • Repeals preeminent university authority for a six-credit set of “unique courses” that consume time and money for non-transferable credit.
  • Upgrades Florida College System (FCS) Performance Metrics in Distinguished College and Performance Funding programs:
    • Tightens degree (associate and bachelor) graduation rate metrics to 100 percent (versus 150 percent) of normal-time completion.
    • Adds a college affordability metric, which must be adopted by the State Board of Education.
    • Specifies that the job placement metric must be based on wage thresholds that reflect the added value of the applicable certificate or degree.

SENATE BILL 4 – RECRUIT AND RETAIN ELITE FACULTY

  • Establishes a World Class Faculty Scholar Program to fund university efforts to recruit, recognize, and retain star faculty and teams, as funded in the GAA.
  • Establishes a University Professional and Graduate Degree Excellence Program to promote quality and excellence in university professional school and graduate study outcomes in high-impact fields of medicine, law, and business, as funded in the GAA.
  • Links education to job opportunities by expanding university responsibility to identify internship opportunities for students to benefit from industry experts and mentors, earn industry certifications, and become employed in high-demand fields of unmet need.