Sunday, May 17, 2009

More than $1.8 Billion in Recovery Funds Now Available for Florida

More than $1.8 Billion in Recovery Funds Now Available for Florida to Save Teaching Jobs and Drive Education Reform
Application for Part 1 of Florida's State Stabilization Funds Approved Today

FOR RELEASE:
May 12, 2009

Contact: Sandra Abrevaya
(202) 401-1576 or sandra.abrevaya@ed.gov

U. S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today announced that more than $1.8 billion is now available for Florida under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. This funding will lay the foundation for a generation of education reform and help save hundreds of thousands of teaching jobs at risk of state and local budget cuts. Florida will be eligible to apply for another $891 million this fall. Today's funding is being made available per Florida's successful completion of Part 1 of the State Stabilization Application, which was made available on April 1.

"The $1.8 billion Florida will receive today is part of the single largest boost in education funding in recent history," said Duncan. "The President's leadership and support from Congress have made this historic investment possible. Florida can now utilize these funds to save jobs and lay the groundwork for a generation of education reform."

To date, Florida has received more than $599 million in education stimulus funds—representing a combination of funding for Title I, IDEA, Vocational Rehabilitation Grants and Independent Living Grants. On April 1, Florida received more than $245 million in Title I funding and $335 million in IDEA funding. This represents 50 percent of the Title I and IDEA funding Florida is eligible for in total. On April 1, Florida also received $16 million in Vocational Rehab funds and $3 million in Independent Living funds.

In order to receive today's funds, Florida provided assurances that it will collect, publish, analyze and act on basic information regarding the quality of classroom teachers, annual student improvements, college readiness, the effectiveness of state standards and assessments, progress on removing charter caps, and interventions in turning around underperforming schools.

Florida is also required by the Department of Education to report the number of jobs saved through Recovery Act funding, the amount of state and local tax increases averted, and how funds are used.

See Florida's and other state applications for initial funding under the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund Program at http://www.ed.gov/programs/statestabilization/resources.html.

to Save Teaching Jobs and Drive Education Reform
Application for Part 1 of Florida's State Stabilization Funds Approved Today

FOR RELEASE:
May 12, 2009

Contact: Sandra Abrevaya
(202) 401-1576 or sandra.abrevaya@ed.gov

U. S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today announced that more than $1.8 billion is now available for Florida under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. This funding will lay the foundation for a generation of education reform and help save hundreds of thousands of teaching jobs at risk of state and local budget cuts. Florida will be eligible to apply for another $891 million this fall. Today's funding is being made available per Florida's successful completion of Part 1 of the State Stabilization Application, which was made available on April 1.

"The $1.8 billion Florida will receive today is part of the single largest boost in education funding in recent history," said Duncan. "The President's leadership and support from Congress have made this historic investment possible. Florida can now utilize these funds to save jobs and lay the groundwork for a generation of education reform."

To date, Florida has received more than $599 million in education stimulus funds—representing a combination of funding for Title I, IDEA, Vocational Rehabilitation Grants and Independent Living Grants. On April 1, Florida received more than $245 million in Title I funding and $335 million in IDEA funding. This represents 50 percent of the Title I and IDEA funding Florida is eligible for in total. On April 1, Florida also received $16 million in Vocational Rehab funds and $3 million in Independent Living funds.

In order to receive today's funds, Florida provided assurances that it will collect, publish, analyze and act on basic information regarding the quality of classroom teachers, annual student improvements, college readiness, the effectiveness of state standards and assessments, progress on removing charter caps, and interventions in turning around underperforming schools.

Florida is also required by the Department of Education to report the number of jobs saved through Recovery Act funding, the amount of state and local tax increases averted, and how funds are used.

See Florida's and other state applications for initial funding under the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund Program at http://www.ed.gov/programs/statestabilization/resources.html.

 

Friday, May 08, 2009

Governor Charlie Crist's Special Video Message

 

 

May 8, 2009

 

Attached is a link to a video address from Governor Charlie Crist regarding the closing of the 2009 Florida legislative session. 

http://www.clickcaster.com/charliecrist

 

Governor Charlie Crist’s Special Video Message
Regarding the Closing of Florida's 2009 Legislative Session

May 8, 2009

 

As the 2009 Florida legislative session comes to a close, I applaud the House and the Senate for putting together a budget that addresses the priorities of the people of Florida.  I am grateful that during these challenging economic times, we have been able to avoid drastically reducing services. 

 

I want to thank the Senate President and House Speaker for approving the use of $5.3 billion made available to us as a result of the federal stimulus package.  These recovery dollars are helping us prevent deep cuts that would further burden Florida’s families and businesses.

 

We have also maximized dollars for education. We are able to increase per-student funding for Florida’s 2.6 million students. In addition, this summer I will begin negotiating an agreement with the Seminole Tribe of Florida based on the guidelines developed by the Legislature.  The resulting compact can help create even more dollars for students and teachers in our schools.

 

I also commend the Legislature for approving the higher education reform that I proposed last November. These reforms will move Florida’s higher education system into the 21st century by helping them compete on the national level. Now our universities will have the resources they need to retain top faculty and researchers. They will also continue to provide access for low-income students and families.

 

In this tight budget year, we are continuing to invest in economic development and workforce training to strengthen our economy.  We have been able to avoid deep cuts in services for our most vulnerable – and our children, the elderly and persons with disabilities. And we are maintaining Florida’s commitment to restore America’s Everglades and conserve public lands through Florida Forever.

 

Last year, voters approved the largest tax cut in Florida history by lowering property taxes by an estimated $25 billion over five years. I remain committed to reducing the tax burden on Florida’s homeowners and property owners even more. And we are lowering the tax burden of Florida’s property owners.

 

I applaud the Legislature for proposing Constitutional amendments that will allow the voters of Florida to choose whether to lower the annual property-tax increase on non-homesteaded properties from 10 percent to 5 percent. Voters will also choose whether to grant first-time Florida homebuyers a 25 percent property-tax exemption. And we have leveled the playing field between taxpayers and property appraisers when a property owner challenges the appraiser’s assessment.

 

I look forward to carefully considering the Legislature’s budget proposals during the next several weeks. I am confident that Florida’s brightest days are ahead of us. I am committed to working hard to improve the quality of life for the people of Florida.

 

Thank you, and God bless Florida.

  

  

http://app.icontact.com/icp/loadimage.php/mogile/132243/0270a12657f2df8b64c18ca66df4c0ce/image/jpeg 

 


   

Receive Regular E-mail Updates from Governor Crist

 

I would like to keep you informed about actions my administration is taking on a variety of issues, if you are interested. I invite you to click the link below and select the issues you want to learn more about.  Feel free to select as many topics as you like.

 

Thank you and God bless. It is a privilege and honor to serve you as Governor.

 

http://www.flgov.com/issuesignupform

 

http://app.icontact.com/icp/loadimage.php/mogile/132243/0270a12657f2df8b64c18ca66df4c0ce/image/jpeg

 

To receive Governor Crist's weekly newsletter, "Notes from the Capitol," please visit www.flgov.com and click on "Subscribe to Notes from the Capitol."

 


www.FLGov.com 


  

 

Monday, May 04, 2009

Legislative Update

Here's a quick take on the non-flu-related news in education policy and program development this week:

 

LEGISLATURE SESSION WINDS DOWN

Although last Friday was the 60th day of the legislative session, it's not yet time for sine die. Lawmakers met over the weekend and will keep working this week on a budget and the gambling compact with the Seminole Tribe of Florida. Essentially all other legislative work is done. A quick summary:

 

The current budget compromise provides for multiple changes in categorical funding vs. general funding, with very slight net per-pupil increase. The impact of this technical increase, however, is significantly diminished because it now includes essential services previously funded directly, such as transportation. To achieve the balanced budget, lawmakers took full advantage of state trust funds, federal stimulus finding, tax increases and user fee increases. The Legislature cut the salaries of all State of Florida employees earning at least $45,000 a year by 2%, except for those in higher education. For the first time ever, Bright Futures scholarships will not cover increased costs of higher education tuition, which will increase by at least 8 percent.

 

St. Petersburg Times http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/legislature/article997883.ece

 

A measure to substantially raise Florida's high school graduation requirements seemed to be moving along quickly, but was stopped just short of full approval due to budget concerns. So did a measure to implement a "70% solution." However, an expansion of the state program in which corporate tax credits are exchanged for private school tuition vouchers was approved.

 

Miami Herald http://www.miamiherald.com/news/florida/story/1030940.html

 

St. Petersburg Times http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/legislature/article997747.ece

 

One of the major changes in school funding was a transfer of a portion of each school district's capital funds to operating funds. In some districts, this transfer is workable in the short run because Florida's frantic growth has eased off during the recession. However, in some districts, this transfer creates a potentially dangerous depletion of capital funds. The compromise workaround would allow local school boards to raise local taxes slightly to recover the lost funds, subject to a 2010 local referendum to endorse the measure.

 

Miami Herald http://www.miamiherald.com/news/florida/story/1030942.html

 

The budget situation is still fluid, as is the gambling compact. Stay tuned for the final results this week.

 

* * * * *

 

 

RUNNING THE NUMBERS

 

1. Estimated FY10 cost reduction achieved by reducing Bright Futures scholarships: $34.4 million

2. Percentage of entering University of Florida freshmen with Bright Futures scholarships: 95

 

SOURCES

 

1, 2. Miami Herald http://www.miamiherald.com/news/florida/story/1026610.html