House Committee Workshops $690 Million Dollar Tax Cut PackageThe House Finance and Tax Committee worked on the proposed 2015 “No Tax Is Safe” tax cut package, which provides $690 million in broad-based tax relief for Floridians. This wide-ranging proposal cuts numerous taxes on everything from cell phone and TV bills to college textbooks to property taxes to taxes on our veterans and deployed military personnel. I believe these tax cuts will provide substantial savings to families and businesses and infuse more money directly into our
economy to help create jobs. ______________________________ Postsecondary Access and AffordabilityThe Higher Education & Workforce Subcommittee passed HB 7125
relating to Postsecondary Access and Affordability. The cost of college can be a deterrent to many students as they graduate high school. The Florida House has made college affordability a priority this session and has included the issue as a part of the joint Work Plan 2015 agenda. The bill seeks to make college more affordable in a variety of ways. To help students purchase textbooks at lower prices, the bill requires schools to post textbook International Standard Book Numbers (ISBN), which are unique numeric identifiers, no later than 30 days before the start of classes. Students can use the ISBN on websites such as Half.com or Amazon.com to shop around for textbooks at lower prices. The bill also requires postsecondary institutions to conduct cost benefit
analyses and report annually to their chancellors on the institution’s textbook selection process for general education courses and specific initiatives designed to reduce costs. I believe that these actions will help ensure greater access and affordability in our colleges. The bill requires each Florida College System institution and state university to publicly notice any proposal to increase tuition or fees at least 28 days prior to consideration by the board of trustees so that students are notified that their bill may potentially increase. To help keep college affordable for Florida students, the bill eliminates the ability for state universities to seek approval from the Board of Governors (BOG) for an increase in tuition differential, a supplemental
fee charged by the universities to undergraduate students. It also clarifies that preeminent universities may increase the tuition differential fee by no more than 6 percent, and only if they meet specific performance benchmarks established by the BOG. The bill also works to mitigate the rising cost of graduate school tuition by requiring the BOG to approve graduate tuition and fee increases sought by universities. The Florida House is committed to keeping the cost of college affordable so that more students can achieve their educational goals. I believe this bill will help open doors to students who may think that college is out of their reach because of the financial hardship. ______________________________Higher EducationThe Higher Education & Workforce Subcommittee passed HB 7127 relating to Higher Education. The bill authorizes career centers and charter technical career centers to offer college credit certificate programs so students have additional options to earn college credit. The bill also moves the common college placement test closer to the time of enrollment, so the information provided will be more meaningful and
relevant in predicting student success in college level coursework. I believe this bill will help make higher education a reality for more Floridians who would prefer vocational opportunities over a four-year university degree. ______________________________ House Budget Passes CommitteeThe House Appropriations Committee passed the House’s recommended
$76.2 billion budget for the Fiscal Year 2015-16. I believe this year’s budget responsibly prioritizes funding in the best interest of all Floridians and provides meaningful tax relief to our hard-working citizens. Our proposed budget makes an historic investment in our state’s education system by increasing K-12 per student funding to its highest level ever, while also providing $690 million in tax cuts to hardworking Florida families and business owners. There is also $3.1 billion maintained in reserves to prepare for any potential future economic uncertainties. The budget, in my opinion, makes a significant effort to help Florida’s economy at a critical time when those in the private sector are attempting to maintain growth and create jobs. The House Budget focuses on what I believe is the primary mission of state government: emphasizing care for the state’s most vulnerable while also demonstrating good stewardship of taxpayers’ dollars. The budget is now ready to be considered by the full House. I believe that this is a great budget that keeps Florida on the path to continued prosperity.
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