Responding to the Concerns of Florida Citizens

 

Budget Subcommittee on Education

Funding Recommendations

 

 

Public Schools

 

1)Total state and local funding for the operation of public schools - -

Senate Budget Proposal: $948 million

 

The Senate budget provides a total state and local funding increase of $948 million (8.7%), from $10.9 billion to $11.9 billion. That amount includes $170 million to fund an anticipated enrollment increase of 42,352 full-time-equivalent students in grades K-12. The total funding increase per student is $304 (7.9%). This increase in total potential funds includes a reduction in school districts' Florida Retirement System contribution of $209.5 million. Also included in the total state/local funds increase are enrollment workload increases for instructional materials ($3.5 million), student transportation ($7.2 million), Teacher Lead ($0.3 million), class size reduction/supplemental instruction ($9.9 million), and teacher training ($0.6 million). Funding enhancements are provided for instructional materials ($6.5 million) and public school technology ($15.6 million).

 

Governor's Recommendation: $720 million

 

2) Teacher recruitment and retention - -

Senate Budget Proposal: $92.5 million

 

The Senate budget provides $12 million to recruit middle and high school classroom teachers for areas of critical shortage (i.e., math, science, foreign language, computer science and exceptional student education). This amount will provide grants of up to $1,200 to attract new teachers. Permissible uses of these funds include payment of moving expenses and purchase of laptop computers. The budget provides $48 million to retain currently employed middle and high school classroom teachers in the same areas of critical shortage. This amount will likewise provide $1,200 grant awards for teachers. The Senate budget includes $10 million to provide salary bonuses to outstanding teachers who serve as mentors to less experienced teachers, $10.2 million to honor the state's commitment to provide salary bonuses to teachers who achieve national board certification, and $12.3 million to be used by school principals as salary bonuses (a maximum of $3,500 per teacher) to recruit outstanding new teachers and to retain the best currently employed teachers in "F" schools.

 

3) Curriculum and instruction enhancement - -

Senate Budget Proposal: $3.0 million

 

The Senate budget provides $3 million to assist teachers develop new curriculum materials for science instruction.

 

4) Safe schools - -

Senate Budget Proposal: $2.7 million

 

In addition to the $70 million that is currently provided to school districts through the FEFP, the Senate budget provides new grant funding for safe schools activities ($0.2 to fund a Partnership for School Safety, $2.0 to fund pilot programs that provide more student support services personnel (counselors) and $0.5 million to provide school resource officer training).

 

5) Additional rewards for high performing schools - -

Senate Proposal: $15 million

 

The Senate budget provides a $15 million increase (for a total of $45 million) in the School Recognition program which rewards high performing schools.

 

6) Matching funds for donations to low performing schools - -

Senate Proposal: $3.4 million

 

The Senate budget provides a $3.4 million to establish a matching grants program which will provide maximum $50,000 state grants to match private contributions made to low performing "F" schools. The program will provide a dollar for dollar match up to the maximum amount.

 

7) Assistance for charter schools - -

Senate Proposal: $10 million

 

The Senate budget $10 million to assist charter schools to purchase the facilities and equipment they need to operate.

 

 

Postsecondary Education

1) Increased Access to Baccalaureate/Graduate Degrees: $106.3 million

 

The Senate budget provides an additional $29M for 5,506 students in the State University System including providing for an additional 500 freshmen for the Talented 20 Plan, $8M for expanding courses and adding new degree programs on university branch campuses, $29.3M for an additional 1,920 students attending private colleges and universities with an increase in the annual award to $3,000 per student, and $20M additional funding for need-based student financial aid and $20M for the Bright Futures merit scholarship program.

 

 

2) Enhanced Learning Environment: $93.6 million

 

The Senate budget provides $20M for university campus technology enhancements, $21.7M increase for university libraries and a student advising and degree tracking system, $37.6M for enhancing university undergraduate and graduate education and research, and $6M for salary increases for meritorious faculty, $8.3M for performance-based funding for Community Colleges.

 

 

3) Leveraging State Funding: $85.5 million

 

The Senate budget provides and additional $53.4M to match private donations through the State University System and Community College System Challenge Grant Matching Programs. In addition, each university may use its share of $98M in unspent carryforward funding as additional state match. $17.6M is provided for the I-4 Corridor Sales Tax Refund/Research Matching Program, and $14.5M to increase Federal Medicaid matching funding in support of Graduate Medical Education.

 

 

4) Economic Development/Workforce Training: $17.4 million

 

The Senate budget provides funding for public schools and community performance in training, completion and placement of students into the workforce.

Responding to Concerns of Florida Citizens

 

Budget Subcommittee on Health and Human Services

 

 

1)                Providing access to healthcare for uninsured children -

Senate Budget Proposal: $101.5 milion

 

Recent studies indicate an estimated 140,000 of Florida's children were uninsured as of September 1999. Florida's growth, our heavy reliance on small businesses, our diverse ethnic population, and our success in welfare reform are all factors which make access to affordable health insurance a necessity. The primary reason Floridians do not have health insurance is the high premium costs. Florida KidCare provides an affordable alternative to parents while taking advantage of federal matching funds. We believe our recommendations will provide access to health care services for 108,000 kids and will also provide dental health coverage for over 30% of KidCare insured children. Local match requirements have been limited to July, 2000 levels.

 

Governor's Recommendation: $214.1 million

 

The Governor's recommendation covered only 81,182 children but did have a broader dental proposal than ours and included a locally matched program for non-citizens. The Governor also required additional local match.

 

2)                Controlling the cost increases in state programs -

Senate Budget Proposal: $(155.2) million

 

The state share of cost for continuing the Medicaid program rose by nearly $300 million over last year. Most of the growth was in the Medicaid Prescription Drug program which was nearly $190 million or 63 % of the growth. In order to control this growth a series of measures were enacted to more closely align the Medicaid drug program with private sector drug utilization practices and successful management programs in other states. Preferred drug programs, limits on monthly prescriptions, reductions of prices, fraud programs and additional rebates were included in our proposal. Critical life saving drugs for AIDS patients and the mentally ill were excluded from controls. Improvements in case management and disease management were also proposed.

 

Governor's Recommendation: $(126) million

 

The Governor again recognized the importance of controlling the growth of government and proposed similar reductions in the Medicaid program and he also identified some low priority programs in other agencies for reduction.

 

3)                Providing quality community based care to individuals who are developmentally disabled-

Senate Budget Proposal: $130.8 million

 

Continues to increases funding in the Department of Children and Families for the restructuring of the needs of the Developmental Services program. The redesign outlines several initiatives as part of a total system re-design, which was started with legislation that was passed by the 1996 Legislature for service delivery to Florida's citizens with developmental disabilities. The new changes will provide an opportunity to reshape the residential services for people with developmental disabilities. The plan will be directed at assuring that people live in communities with supports necessary to meet their needs and to resolve current litigation against the State of Florida.

 

Governor's Recommendations: $131.3 million

 

4)                Protecting Floridian's from sexually violent predators - individuals who have been involuntary civilly committed for sexually violent predators' treatment and care--

Senate Budget Proposal: $7 million

 

Provides funding of $1.5 million for increased workload and operational cost in the Department of Children and Families for the Jimmy Ryce Sexually Violent Predators' Treatment and Care Act. Also, provides $5.5 million in fixed capital outlay to fund the construction of 100 additional treatment beds at the Martin Treatment Facility, which will address higher caseloads for involuntarily committed persons who meet the criteria for classification as sexually violent predators by the department.

 

Governor's Recommendations: $14.8 million

 

The Governor's recommendations provided a larger increase in funding for increased workload and operational cost than the Senate. Also, provided $8.1 million in Tobacco Settlement Trust Funds for the renovations of an existing state facility to meet security requirements and mental health treatment facility standards.

 

5)                Investigating reports of child abuse and neglect - -

Senate Budget Proposal: $23.2 million

 

To ensure that child abuse complaints are handled promptly and appropriately, the Senate budget contains $3.2 million and 63 positions to upgrade the operation of the Child Abuse Hotline, and $20.0 million and 337 positions to improve the process of child abuse investigations so that all reported cases of abuse and neglect are looked into within 24 hours.

 

Governor's Recommendation: $23.2 million

 

6) Providing quality residential care and supervision to child abuse

victims who have been removed from their homes - -

Senate Budget Proposal: $62.6 million

To provide adequate protective supervision to child abuse victims

whether in the custody of the state or in their own homes, the Senate

budget contains $26.9 million and 748 contract positions to bring the

worker to cases ratio closer to the national standard of 1:15. The

budget also includes $7 million and 104 positions to provide adequate

legal representation on behalf of child abused children, and $18.5

to fund a projected growth of 21% in out-of home placements. In

addition, the budget provides $3.3 million for a rate increase of 5% for

foster homes and $1.2 million for respite care for foster parents.

Lastly, the budget provides $2.5 million for an increase in the clothing

allowance for foster care children.

 

Governor's Recommendation: $62.6 million

 

(Note: The Senate budget earmarks $2 million for the protective

investigation operation by the Sheriff of Broward County.)

 

7) Subsidizing child care for working poor families to prevent

reliance on welfare assistance - -

Senate Budget: $ 66.6 million

 

The Senate budget includes an increase of $66.6 million to provide

20,328 additional child care slots for working poor families.

 

Governor's Recommendation: $42.5 million

 

8) Providing quality care for seniors residing in assisted living facilities.

Senate Budget: $17.4

 

The Senate budget provides a budget increase of $18 million to allow for an increase in the personal needs allowance of $11 per month to residents of assisted living facilities and $17.4 million to improve and enhance the care in these facilities by bringing in additional federal Medicaid funds.

 

Governor's Recommendation: 0

Responding to the Concerns of Florida Citizens

General Government Budget Subcommittee

Funding Recommendations

 

 

1 PROTECTING and PRESERVING THE ENVIRONMENT

 

To address the water needs of the state, the Senate budget includes $200.0 million in wastewater and drinking water construction grants and loans and $18.7 million in surface water restoration funds. To protect and enhance Florida's pristine beaches, $30.0 million in state funds is provided and when matched with local and federal funds provides $92.7 million for beach restoration and renourishment projects. To bring into public ownership additional conservation and recreational lands, $399.7 million is provided in the states several land acquisition programs. $100.0 million was also provided to begin the multi-year effort to restore the Everglades.

 

 

2. ENHANCING RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

 

To provide Florida citizens and visitors with additional outdoor recreational opportunities, the Senate budget provides an additional $60.2 million for enhancements in the Florida Park System. To assist local governments in their efforts in providing recreational opportunities, $39.3 million is provided through the Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program.

 

3. PROMOTING FLORIDA AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY

 

Providing promotional and educational opportunities for the agricultural industries is done most efficiently through agricultural fairs, livestock pavilions, and farmers markets all around the state. Over $12 million in assistance for new or renovated facilities is provided in the Senate budget. In addition, the budget includes over $6.7 million for the research and development of aquaculture in the state, expected to become a major economic boost for Florida. To protect the state's $8 billion citrus industry, increased efforts to eradicate citrus canker are also funded in the budget with a $50.2 million appropriation.

 

4. SIMPLIFYING & STREAMLINING GOVERNMENT PROCESSES

 

In an effort to simplify the processes citizens must navigate with government, the Senate budget authorizes $10 million in the Department of Business and Professional Regulation to embark on a project to conduct their licensing and regulatory functions online. Application, renewal, and payment transactions that used to take weeks with paperwork and mailing costs will be completed in a matter of minutes at the citizen's convenience. Additionally, $1 million was funded in the Department of Management Services for One-Stop Permitting grants to counties so that local government processes can be streamlined and modernized with citizens' convenience in mind.

Budget Subcommittee on Transportation & Economic Development

Funding Recommendations

 

1)     Economic Development

Senate Budget Proposal: $125.8 million

 

To ensure that Florida's business climate is conducive to the creation of jobs, business location and expansion, the Senate budget provides $125.8 million to make Florida an attractive and competitive place to do business and stimulate economic growth.

 

Senate budget includes eight major economic development initiatives:

 

•       Economic Development Transportation Projects "Road Fund" - $20 million

•       Qualified Target Industry (QTI) Tax Refund Program & Qualified Defense Contractor - $23.4 million

•       Quick Response Training - $6 million

•       High Impact Performance Incentive - $6 million

•       Quick Action Closing Fund - $4 million

•       Rural Infrastructure Fund - $4 million

•       Tourism Commission - $21.6 million

•       Spaceport Florida - $14.1 million, includes among other items:

-         Space Experiment Research & Processing Lab (SERPL) - $10 m

-         VentureStar and other Reusable Launch Vehicle - $1.6 m

-         Florida Space Research Institute - $800,000

-         Commercial Space Financing Corporation - $300,000

-         Space station commercialization & marketing - $800,000

 

 

 

2)     Transportation

"Fast Track" Program: $52.4 million

 

The "Fast Track" Program is dedicated to catalyzing or accelerating transportation projects which will substantially impact Florida's economic competitiveness by funding statewide or major regional needs. Eligible projects include: planning, design, right-of-way acquisition, and/or construction of rail/transit, aviation, seaport, and intermodal infrastructure which carry substantial flows of domestic and/or international flows of trade and tourism. The Senate budget includes 28 projects for this program.

 

 

 

3)     Hurricane Shelters: $13.5 million

 

The Senate Budget provides $13.5 million for the retrofitting of structures to meet the current deficit of hurricane shelters statewide, with an additional $4.5 million to be made available by local government in matching funds. The $18 million will be targeted first to those areas where the need for additional hurricane shelter space is greatest. The retrofit plan will address 184 potential projects, and result in the creation of an additional 88,679 emergency shelter spaces for those displaced due to hurricanes.

 

 

4)     Cultural and Historic Grants: $19.7 million

 

The Senate Budget includes $14.0 million for the Cultural Facilities Grant Program and $5.8 million for the Historic Preservation Grant Program. These programs provide grants for renovation, preservation, and construction of cultural facilities and historic properties, major archaeological excavations and major history museum exhibition efforts. Both programs are designed to enrich and benefit the citizens of Florida, increase the appeal of Florida visits and vacations, and attract Florida residency.

 

 

5)     Libraries: $45.8 million

 

The Senate Budget provides for an increase of $3 million in operational aid to public libraries, bringing the total amount for operating grants to $34.4 million. Additionally, $1.2 million is provided for Library Cooperatives and $4.5 million is for library construction grants. The budget also provides for trust fund authority for federal aid of $5.2 million and $500,000 for the Literacy and Learning for Life Program.

Responding to the Concerns of Florida Citizens

 

Budget Subcommittee on Public Safety & Judiciary

Funding Recommendations

 

 

1) Locking up convicted felons - -

Senate Budget Proposal: $15.3 million

 

To ensure that convicted felons serve out their time in prison, the Senate budget contains $15.3 million to hire additional prison guards needed to staff the projected increase in the prison population next year. While the current supply of prison cells or "beds" is adequate for next year and the Legislature won't have to build any new prisons, it is critical that additional prison guards be put in place to staff the anticipated increase in the prison population next year.

 

Governor's Recommendation: $35.3 million

 

(Note: The Governor's budget recommendation for this issue was developed based on the Criminal Justice Estimating Conference projections for prison admissions available at the time. Since then, prison admission projections have been revised to reflect a decrease in the anticipated number of new admissions projected for Fiscal Year 2000-2001.)

 

2) Keeping track of persons sentenced to community supervision - - Senate Budget Proposal: $5.4 million

 

The Senate budget provides $5.4 million for global satellite tracking technology (GPS) to track the movements of persons sentenced to community supervision and/or those persons being released from prison. This new technology will allow correctional probation officers to know the whereabouts of these persons at all times further enhancing public safety.

 

Governor's Recommendation: $5.4 million

 

 

 

 

 

 

3) Responding to Florida's juvenile crime problem - -

Senate Budget Proposal: $97.7 million

 

•       The Senate budget provides $63.5 million for the construction of additional juvenile justice commitment facility beds. Delinquent juveniles who have committed serious crimes are sentenced by the judicial system to these facilities as punishment for crimes committed.

•       The Senate budget provides funding for 321 additional juvenile probation officers to enhance the supervision of juvenile offenders released back to the community.

•       The Senate budget also provides for $14 million in additional funding for substance abuse, sex offender, and mental health treatment services for delinquent juveniles. These additional dollars will substantially increase the level of treatment services provided and are designed to reduce recidivism.

•       Nearly $14 million is provided for juvenile crime prevention programs, services and facilities.

 

Governor's Recommendation: $83.7 million

 

4) Improving the efficiency of Florida's court system - -

Senate Budget Proposal: $22.4 million

 

•       The Senate budget provides many significant enhancements to Florida's court system including:

1.     $7.4 million for 43 new circuit and county judges and support staff;

2.     nearly $6 million for repairs and renovations to small county court houses; and

3.     nearly $9 million for additional State Attorney prosecutors and Assistant Public Defenders.

 

Governor's Recommendation: $13 million

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5) Supporting Florida's law enforcement agencies - -

Senate Proposal: $16.5 million

 

•       The Senate budget provides $13.5 in crime fighting enhancements in the Department of Law Enforcement including:

1.     $1.8 million to replace worn out lab equipment essential to criminal investigations;

2.     $2.2 million to expand DNA collections to include offenses for burglary to enhance crime solving efforts;

3.     an additional $3 million to enhance Florida's computerized criminal information systems that provide critical support to local law enforcement agencies;

•       The Senate budget also provides $2 million in the Attorney General's Office for minority crime prevention programs and services and more than $1 million and 16 positions for the Attorney General to combat Medicaid fraud.

 

Governor's Recommendation: $17.2 million

 

6) Combating Florida's illegal drug abuse problem - -

Senate Proposal: $15.5 million

 

•       The Senate budget provides $1.2 million and 27 positions to establish drug court coordinators in every judicial circuit. These positions play an integral part in supporting drug court operations.

•       A nearly $6 million funding increase is provided for additional substance abuse treatment services for adult prisoners and adult offenders being released from prison to combat recidivism.

•       Finally, as mentioned earlier, more than $8.3 million is provided to increase substance abuse treatment services for juveniles.

 

Governor's Recommendation: $15.8 million