Friday, May 31, 2013

Governor Scott Signs Legislation to Keep Floridians Safe


 
Governor Scott Signs Legislation to Keep Floridians Safe
 
Dear Friends,
 
We made great progress this week in keeping Floridians safe on the road and in their communities. As a father and grandfather, texting while driving is a concern I share with many Floridians whose loved ones travel the roads. The “Texting While Driving” bill that I signed into law this week will encourage drivers to practice responsible driving habits and keep our streets safe. In addition, I signed two bills that will protect victims of human trafficking. These bills will support the victims of this heartbreaking abuse as they set out on the journey of recovery.

Also this week, we visited south Florida to highlight a plan to invest $880 million for supporting the restoration of the Everglades. This historic legislation begins a long-term commitment to protecting Florida’s most delicate natural treasure. I would like to thank all state, local and federal officials who played a role in passing these bills and improving the lives of Florida families.
 
 
Read the press releases:
 
   

Thursday, May 30, 2013

HB 801 was just signed into law


FSCA has just received word from the Governor's office that HB 801 was just signed into law! The law requires counselors in elementary, middle, & high schools to be certified school counselors.

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

HB 801 Update

HB 801 was presented to the Governor and he has until June 4, 2013 to act on it. FSCA has already reached out to his Legislative Affairs Director, Darrick McGhee, to inform him about the bill.  We will keep you posted.   

Monday, May 20, 2013

GOVERNOR SCOTT SIGNS FLORIDA FAMILIES FIRST BUDGET


 
 
GOVERNOR SCOTT SIGNS FLORIDA FAMILIES FIRST BUDGET
 
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. Today, Governor Rick Scott signed the 2013-2014 Florida Families First Budget. Below is Governor Scott’s letter to Secretary Detzner, followed by links to budget highlights.
 
To view the full veto letter, click HERE.
 
Additionally, Governor Scott today signed 16 bills to implement the budget. For a list of the bills signed today, click HERE.
 
Dear Secretary Detzner:
 
By the authority vested in me as Governor of Florida, under the provisions of Article III, Section 8, of the Constitution of Florida, I do hereby withhold my approval of portions of Senate Bill 1500, enacted during the 45th Session of the Legislature convened under the Constitution of 1968, and entitled:
 
An act making appropriations; providing monies for the annual period beginning July 1, 2013, and ending June 30, 2014, to pay salaries, and other expenses, capital outlay - buildings, and other improvements, and for other specified purposes of the various agencies of State government; providing an effective date.
We first recommended the Florida Families First budget for Fiscal Year 2013-2014 to make strategic investments in support of continued economic growth and job creation. This final budget, as passed by the Florida Legislature and signed into law today, does in fact put Florida Families First by investing in economic development initiatives and making a record investment in our K-12 schools, including the $480 million we requested to give Florida teachers a well-deserved pay raise.
 
We made strategic investments in this budget, while holding the line on spending that does not give Florida taxpayers a positive return on investment. In order to ensure all taxpayer funds are well spent, I have vetoed special legislative projects totaling $368 million. Therefore, the Florida Families First budget now totals $74.1 billion.
 
The Florida Families First budget includes $1.2 billion in taxpayer savings. This budget also reflects the smallest state government workforce per 1,000 residents in Florida in this century. The Florida Families First budget is one of our state’s smallest budgets this century, when adjusted for population growth and inflation.
 
We are also holding the line on tuition by vetoing the Legislature’s recommended 3 percent tuition increase on our college and university students. Higher education is one of the best ways we can prepare Floridians to get a great job. It is also one of the best ways we can provide every family the opportunity to pursue their dreams, regardless of where they start in life. I believe that I would not have had the opportunity to start a business, or even serve this great state, if I had not had the benefit of a higher education experience. Therefore, I believe it is incumbent upon state leaders to ensure the cost of higher education remains accessible to as many Floridians as possible. Florida should be proud that we have one of the most affordable high-quality college and university systems in the country – now also offering $10,000 baccalaureate degree programs. Just as we are proud to be one of only a few states without a state income tax, and one of only a few states that have cut taxes and paid down state debt, even in tough budget years, we should also be proud to keep tuition low in Florida.
 
The Florida Families First budget is about helping the majority of Florida families, most of which are making $50,000 or less a year, struggling to make ends meet, and working hard to achieve their version of the American dream. We know that investing in economic development and our K-12 education system is working to create more jobs and opportunity in our state. Our unemployment rate has now dropped to 7.2 percent – well below the national average, and we are already almost half way to our 2010 goal of creating 700,000 new jobs in seven years.
 
Other press releases:
 
Florida Families First Budget Includes Historic K-12 Education Funding: click HERE
Florida Families First Budget Invests in Business Development and Job Growth: click HERE
Florida Families First Budget Invests in Keeping Florida Families and Visitors Safe: click HERE
Florida Families First Budget Supports Florida Seniors: click HERE
Florida Families First Budget Makes Strategic Transportation Investments: click HERE
Florida Families First Budget Invests in Priorities for Disability Community and Vulnerable Populations: click HERE
Florida Families First Budget Invests to Protect Florida’s Natural Resources: click HERE
For Governor Scott’s 2013 Veto List: click HERE
   

Wednesday, May 08, 2013

Update on Counselors--- SB 154 and HB 801


Advocacy Update
Counselors--- SB 154 and HB 801
Last year, FSCA embarked on a three year plan to move Florida's Guidance Counselors into the 21st century. Here is our score card so far:

Year One's plan was to create awareness of school counseling among legislators in Florida. Instead, our issues and goals resonated with a champion in each chamber and legislation was filed in both Senate and House to change our name, align assignments to training and student needs for access, and increase access by ensuring counselors in all schools with ratios closer to the national standard. The legislation was heard in at least one committee and had a highly positive reception.

While we had hoped to file legislation in Year 2 with plans for hearings in later years, we capitalized on our momentum, improved our legislative goals, and filed our legislation again. This time, Sen. Nancy Detert, R-Venice, once again filed the Senate Bill in January and newly elected Rep. Dane Eagle, R-Cape Coral, filed the companion bill in February. By the end of April our efforts were rewarded by having our bills heard in committee and passed in a revised form. This is a major accomplishment when you consider that usually only about 10 percent of filed bills are passed each year. And that number may even be less this year. This bill represents a victory on the way to achieving our full legislative agenda for Florida's students. In this first phase we achieved our name change from Guidance Counselor to School Counselor.
During the session, each of the bills were referenced to three legislative committees in their respective chambers. In these meetings, there were discussions about the fiscal impact of the proposed ratios (and they were thus removed) and discussions about whether assignments should remain in local control. After much discussion and strategizing, it was determined to defer job assignments and ratios to year three. This was validated by two things, first, the bills were heard in a combined six committees with much discussion on the value of certified school counselors, and the fact the bill needs to now move forward with looking at ratios. Legislators were actually raising the issue a need for ratios! The second is the emergence of a partnership with the PTA. They actually had a representative in the committee room, who on at least three occasions, filed a committee form to wave in support of our bill. They are interested in continuing to help us move this initiative forward next year.

Year three (next year), capitalizing on this momentum, we need the membership of FSCA to set up meetings with their local legislators. As we prepare for our biggest effort next year, please go and talk to them, and explain what you do and what they can do to help you do a better job to support your school, the student and their families. Legislators will be back in their district offices over the summer and will have more time to spend talking to you.
As you plan for next year, plan to go to Tallahassee with FSCA to meet with legislators. We believe that the ones who did found it to be enlightening and it sent a powerful message.

Finally, during our “Day on the Hill", FSCA representatives and their advocate, Carole Green arranged an appointment in the Governor’s Office with two members of his staff. Along with discussing our legislation, they also discussed the Governor’s proposal for the across the board $2,500 pay increase for just classroom teachers. We believe these discussions and our awareness campaign contributed to ensuring that school counselors will now receive the same pay increase as other instructional employees.

Thanks to Carole Green and our legislative champions this year, Sen. Detert, Dane Eagle and other who cosponsored and helped our efforts behind the scenes, get ready for action this summer and next year. Get active!