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Our chart of pre-filed bills is attached for your information and
reference. We are averaging better than one out of every five pre-filed
bills affecting Prek-12 in some fashion or other so far which is normal
from past years.
Remember House bills are odd numbers and Senate bills are even. To
access a bill, go to the respective site (www.myfloridahouse.gov
or www.flsenate.gov).
At the House site, click on bills, then enter the number and the
information will come up; on the Senate site, simply enter the bill
number in the box at the top of your screen "go to bill:"....you can
also access the Senate bills from the House site, but the info may not
be as complete).
There are no committee meetings this week. House and Senate members
reconvene next week in Tallahassee. Meeting agendas should be posted by
Thursday. We expect to see continuation of discussions on class size
implementation, instructional accountability (teacher performance pay,
evaluation and contracts) and budget. There's word that that Senate may,
repeat may, surface an SB-6 successor bill, but that's street talk at
this point.
Regarding budget, do not expect any firm budget positions until
mid-March when General Revenue Estimating will meet for the last time
before session end. Senate Budget Chair JD Alexander Thursday told
members they would not know allocations or final "bottom line" revenue
data until that point. However, we expect to see various scenarios being
"put out there" for public reaction in the meantime.
Gov. Scott is slated to release his budget next Monday. As in past
years, the Legislature will use it as a reference, but do not look for
his budget, per se, to be what gets passed by May 6th. Indications
already abound at this point that Scott's budget cut priorities may not
coincide with legislative leadership priorities.
Last, we are working with others on two issues: a flexibility bill that
could help waive or remove a number of mandates that don't contribute to
improving student performance; and CSR flexibility...as he promised,
Sen. David Simmons, Prek-12 Ed Approp Chair, is working with a group of
stakeholders to come up with some flexibility that's acceptable to all.
We'll keep you posted,
Vern
(561) 644-2439