2012 Florida Legislative Session Review

The 2012 Legislative Session is over (with the exception of a special session to only address redistricting) and generally speaking I feel that as a result of this years session, education faired better than the 2011 Legislative Session.

Some of the critical highlights for education and Citrus County have to do with the increase in educational funding over 2011.   The Legislators funded back in Florida well over $1 Billion back for education.  Inclusive of that was the approval of the Sparsity Funding of nearly $1 million to Citrus County for the 2012-2013 school year which has been critical to our district. In total, this means Citrus County Schools may see an increase of just over $2 million dollars for the 2012-2013 in state funding.  I want to pause for a moment and share that while that is good it by no means should imply that all is well in funding education in Florida or in Citrus County. This is still over $6 million dollars less in state funding for education than our district had just three years ago.  In addition we will be losing many federally funded grants as well as other revenue sources.  I am encouraged that some Legislators, including those that represent Citrus County, see that public education is critical to Florida’s future.

We are still weeding through many of the passed Bills to better understand their impact in Citrus. I will continue to share with you those things that will impact Citrus County in the future.

Below is a more complete list of the education related bills that I have been watching this session and are of a particular Educational interest that DID pass the Legislation.

SB 98 – Education / Inspirational Message by Siplin (HB 317 by Van Zant)
SB 268 – Sponsorship of State Greenways & Trails by Wise (HB 181 by Slosberg)
HB 285 — Sick Leave for School District Employees by Harrell (SB 874 by Benacquisto)
HB 291 – Youth and Student Athletes / Head Injuries by Renuart (SB 256 by Flores)
SB 368 – Local Government Financial Emergencies by Gaetz (HB 7031 by Hukill)
HB 465 – District School Board Bonds by Diaz (SB 750 by Flores)
HB 859 – Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program by Corcoran (SB 962 by Benacquisto)
HB 1037 – Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind by Broxson (SB 1348 by Wise)
HB 1205 – Drug-Free Workplace Act by Smith (SB 1358 by Hays)
HB 1357 – District School Boards / Organizational Meeting by Glorioso (SB 620 by Latvala)
HB 1403 – High School Athletics by Stargel (SB 1704 by Wise)
HB 7059 – Acceleration Options by K-20 Innovation (SB 1368 by Gaetz)
HB 7063 – Digital Learning by K-20 Innovation (SB 1402 by Gardiner)
HB 7079 – State Retirement by Gov. Operations (SB 2024 by Gov. Oversight & Accountability)
HB 7081 – Growth Management by Workman (SB 842 by Bennett)
HB 7127 – Accountability In Public Schools / NCLB Waiver by Fresen (SB 1522 by Montford)
HB 7129 – SUS / Academic and Research Excellence by Education (SB 1752 by Oelrich)
HB 7135 – Postsecondary Education by Proctor (SB 1366 by Gaetz)

Below are bills of particular Educational interest that DID NOT pass the Legislation.

HB 19 — Public School Buses / Advertising by Nelson (SB 344 by Montford)
SB 366 – Group Insurance for Public Employees by  Gaetz (HB 453 by Stargel)
HB 431 – Joint Use of Public School Facilities by Nehr (HB 808 by Nelson)
SB 834 – Juvenile Justice Education by Education PreK – 12 (HB 949 by Baxley)
HB 903 – Charter Schools by Adkins (SB 1852 by Wise)
HB 1059 – Background Screening / Noninstructional Contractors by Perry (SB 1610 by Dean)
HB 1115 – Teacher Protection by Brandes (SB 1698 by Wise)
HB 1191 – Parent Empowerment in Education by Bileca (SB 1718 by Benacquisto)
HB 1243 – Opening and Closing of Public Schools by Metz (SB 1468 by Montford)
HB 1445 – Zero Tolerance for Crime & Victimization in Schools by Davis (SB 1886 by Wise)

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