Governor's Budget Governor DeSantis rolled out his budget recommendations for the 2019-2020 fiscal year. Highlights of the proposed budget include:
For more information on Governor DeSantis' budget, please visit: http://www.boldvisionforabrighterfuture.com AARP's Capitol Caregiver Award Last year, I sponsored and passed SB 1002, which institutes greater protection for those under the care of a court-appointed guardian. I was honored to be recognized for this legislation as an AARP "Capitol Caregiver" along with Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuńez. Protecting Florida's most vulnerable population is and always will be one of my top priorities. Military Compact The Senate Military and Veteran Affairs and Space Committee heard Senator Tom Wright's Senate Bill 212: Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children. The bill will renew Florida's membership in an interstate compact, which provides solutions for common educational challenges faced by military families. These solutions include grade level transfers, course credit reciprocity, and placement in AP, IB, and career and technical programs. The agreement helps ensure that students are not inhibited from graduating on time due to a military-required move and is a pragmatic approach to education transitions between sending and receiving states. Florida has been a member of the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children since 2008. Single-Subject for Constitutional Amendments During the 2018 election cycle, voters expressed frustration with several ballot amendments proposed by the Constitutional Revision Commission (CRC) which contained more than one subject. Senate Joint Resolution 74, sponsored by Senator Rob Bradley, passed out of the Senate Ethics and Elections Committee this week. This resolution would be on the 2020 ballot, and if approved by Florida voters, would restrict amendments proposed by the CRC to a single subject. Honoring Senator Dorothy Hukill The Senate Education Committee voted to approve Senate Bill 114, the Dorothy L. Hukill Financial Literacy Act, sponsored by Senator Travis Hutson. Senate Bill 114 is named after my colleague, Senator Hukill, a passionate advocate of this legislation, who passed away in October of last year. The bill requires students complete one-half credit dedicated to personal financial literacy and money management. This half-credit course will provide high school students with the opportunity to learn how to balance a checkbook, manage personal debt, compute interest rates and file taxes. Abolishing the CRC The Constitutional Revision Commission (CRC), composed of appointees from the Senate President, Speaker of the House, and Governor, meets every 20 years to craft amendments to the Florida Constitution. Senate Joint Resolution 362, introduced by Senator Jeff Brandes, would place an amendment on the 2020 ballot to abolish the CRC. This week, the resolution passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee and is on its way to the Senate Committee on Governmental Oversight and Accountability. Senate Agriculture Committee Considers Alternative Crops The Senate Agriculture Committee received a presentation from Glen Aiken, PhD, of the University of Florida’s IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center on Hurricane Michael recovery in Florida’s agriculture industry. It is estimated that the agriculture industry suffered $1.5 billion in damages from Hurricane Michael, including over $1.28 billion in timber industry losses. Dr. Aiken recommended to the Senate Committee that farmers begin considering alternative crops. Some of the potential alternative crops included hops, olives, satsumas and lupines. Constituent Corner Several students from Florida SouthWestern State College came to visit me in the Capitol last week. It was incredible to hear from such an intelligent group of young people. While they were here, they shared some excellent ideas for future legislation. Several constituents from the Alzheimer's Association stopped by my office last week. I recently participated in the 2018 Walk to End Alzheimer's in Naples. The next Walk will take place on November 16th, 2019, at North Collier Regional Park. If you want more information on this event you can visit the event page. If you live in another area, you can find a Walk near you with the interactive map. Thank you to the Alzheimer's Association for everything you do to end this tragic illness. Stephen Sanderson, President and CEO of the Collier County United Way The Florida Engineering Society Lee County Port Authority As always, please do not hesitate to contact my office any time that I can be of assistance. Kathleen C. Passidomo Senate Majority Leader Naples Office: 3299 East Tamiami Trail LaBelle Office: 25 East Hickpochee Avenue Tallahassee Office: 330 Senate Office Building Not paid for at taxpayer expense. |