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Projections from today's Revenue Estimating Conference
indicate that current-year revenues will be down another $1 billion.
Projections for FY 2009-10 are that Florida will see an additional
shortfall of $2.2 billion. These are revisions from an estimate that
was made 14 months ago. In total, this would bring next year's
recurring deficit, without federal stimulus money, to about $6.5
billion. If the Legislature uses maximum federal stimulus money (all
non-recurring) in recurring programs, the cash deficit will be about $2
to $2.5 billion. However, the recurring deficit for the following year
(FY 2010-11), when stimulus money runs out, could rise to between $6
and $7 billion.
State
legislators will have to work with today's projections to develop and
pass a balanced budget within the next six weeks, if they want to
conclude the legislative session on time. House and Senate budget
committees have been working for weeks, considering both budget cuts
and possible tax increases. However, everything has been up in the air
pending a firm revenue estimate. Gov. Charlie Crist has proposed
spending nearly $4 billion in federal stimulus money in this year's
budget, and nearly $7 billion next fiscal year.
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Property
Tax Reform Bills On the Move
Two property tax bills that seek to amend the state
constitution and further reduce property taxes collected by local
governments passed their first committees this week.
HB 385 by Rep.
David Rivera (R-Miami-Dade) passed the Military & Local Affairs
Committee on Wed. The bill proposes a constitutional amendment to cap
local government spending by limiting total aggregate ad valorem taxes
levied by counties, municipalities, school districts and special
districts on real property to 1.35 percent of the highest taxable value
of the property. The legislature would be given authority to distribute
any revenues collected above the cap. The companion bill, SB 738 by Sen.
Mike Bennett (R-Manatee), was not heard this week. It will be back on
the agenda for the Community Affairs Committee next week.
HB 97 by Rep.
Carl Domino (R-Palm Beach) passed the Military & Local Affairs
Committee Wed. The bill proposes a constitutional amendment to limit
growth in the assessed value of businesses, vacation homes and other
non-homesteaded properties to 5 percent annually. Assessment increases
are now capped at 10 percent due to passage of Amendment 1 in Jan.
2008. The bill also gives preference to first-time home buyers by
making their homestead exemption 50 percent of the market value of the
home in the first year. That exemption is reduced by 20 percent each
succeeding year. The companion bill, SB 532 by Sen.
Evelyn Lynn (R-Volusia), was not heard this week.
CFO Sink Expresses Concerns About More Property Tax Reform
State CFO Alex
Sink issued a press release and sent a letter this week to the Senate
President and House Speaker expressing strong concerns about the
Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR) joint resolutions -- SJR 1906 by
Haridopolos and HJR 1263 by
Flores -- that would impose revenue caps on state and local
governments. The caps would be tied to Consumer Price Index and
population/enrollment growth. In particular, Sink expressed concern
about the possible impacts TABOR might have on the bond ratings of
state and local governments. She also called TABOR fiscally
irresponsible. See CFO Sink's letter and
press release.
SJR 1906 passed
out of its first Senate committee on Tuesday, but there was
considerable debate and discussion and the vote was 6-4 (bills
typically pass unanimously out of committee even if members express
concerns). SJR 1906 has four more committee stops before it reaches
the Senate floor. HJR 1263 by Flores has not yet been heard in a
House committee.
House Concludes Review on Sales Tax Exemptions
The House Finance
and Tax Committee wrapped up a six-week review of sales tax exemptions,
but few are expected to be repealed. For the first time in more than
two decades, the Florida Legislature is taking a serious look at
eliminating some sales tax exemptions that have been embedded in the
state tax code at the request of special interests. Not surprisingly,
the committee heard from a multitude of special interest groups seeking
to preserve their tax exemptions, including everything from yacht slips
to bottled water.
Next week, the Senate plans to start hearing bills on
other ways to raise money, including increasing the cigarette tax,
imposing a user fee on bottled-water companies and eliminating
corporate tax loopholes. Senate budget chief Sen. J.D. Alexander said
he thinks the appetite for new revenues may change with the new revenue
projections from state economists today.
Florida Stimulus Czar in Washington
Newly appointed
Florida stimulus czar Don Winstead was in Washington D.C. this week,
along with Kerry Feehery, Director of the State of Florida Washington
D.C. Office. Winstead and Feehery joined nearly 125 state officials
from 49 states to talk about implementing the $787 billion American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Officials overseeing stimulus spending
in their states were invited for a day of schooling on how to make the
massive spending program work, to hear from and question Cabinet
secretaries and other administration officials, and to propose and
discuss ideas. Those in attendance were surprised with a greeting from
President Barack Obama. The president urged the group to help turn the
economy around and warned that he would not tolerate wasteful spending.
Read more about the meeting online at the Tri-City Herald web site.
Florida Senate Explores Web Site to Track State Funding
As part of the
Transparency Florida initiative, the Florida Senate is exploring
options to create a web site that would allow citizens to find out
where taxpayer dollars are being spent. The initial version could be up
and running by July. Estimated cost would be $500,000 to launch, and
$75,000 to maintain. State workers -- rather than an outside vendor --
would operate the site. Viewers would also be able to find trust-fund
balances, historical spending data, payroll information and records of
individual checks for contracts.
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Florida
Legislators Continue Analysis of Federal Stimulus Funds
House and Senate committees heard more details this week
from state agency officials regarding the procedures, timelines and
necessary steps for obtaining federal stimulus funds. They also
received a master list of deadlines and time frames for activities required
by the stimulus package from Don Winstead, special advisor to the
Governor. Among the areas being examined are:
- FMAP: Florida is slated to receive 6.2% in additional
Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP). The Agency for
Health Care Administration must maintain eligibility standards,
methodologies or procedures that were in effect on 7/1/08. This
would require coverage of Medically Needy and MEDS/AD that would
have sunset on June 30, 2009. Federal share increases for foster
care (IV-E) are contingent on re-negotiation of the IV-E waiver.
FMAP for Adoption Assistance will increase 6.2% and will be
available to offset GR through state Fiscal Year 10-11.
Florida completed all required reports to the Federal
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services by the deadline of
March 10, 2009.
- Title I and IDEA: 50% of IDEA (Part B) and Title 1
stimulus funds are expected to be available to State Education
Authorities (school districts) at the end of March, 2009 and do
not require additional applications. Federal guidelines have
not been issued regarding IDEA Part C funds.
- CCDBG (Child Care): $105 million (or 20,000
additional child care slots over two years) is available to
Florida. The Agency for Workforce Innovation is awaiting
information regarding the "supplement, not supplant"
requirement of the stimulus act, and the amount of state funds
necessary to meet this requirement is still unknown. AWI
must update its Child Care Development and Block Grant state
plan to include stimulus related expenditures. Funds will flow to
communities through the Agency for Workforce Innovation, based on
existing formulas.
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KidCare
SB 918 by Sen.
Nan Rich (D-Broward) to streamline the Florida Kidcare Act has not been
heard yet in a committee. The same is true for companion bill (HB 1329) by Rep.
Jimmy Patronis (R-Bay). FCSC representatives and partners met with Rep.
Patronis in the House to discuss moving the bill forward. The House
bill currently is waiting to be heard in the Health Care Services
Policy Committee. In the meantime, work is being done with staff of the
Healthy Kids Corporation to determine any fiscal impacts that may
result from the proposal, if passed.
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Detention
Bill
HB 173 by Rep.
Sandy Adams (R-Seminole) passed the Criminal & Civil Justice Policy
Council this week. The bill would greatly expand the use of detention,
which some have criticized as contradictory to the Blueprint Commission's
recommendations. Among other things, the bill permits the court to
retain jurisdiction over a child beyond the age of 18, and the child's
parents or guardians, until all fees, costs, and costs associated with
court-appointed counsel have been satisfied. Companion bill, SB 654 by Sen.
Charles Dean (R-Citrus), has not yet been heard.
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INDEPENDENT LIVING / FOSTER CARE
Concurrent Custody Bill Passes First
Committee
The Senate
Committee on Children, Families and Elder Affairs unanimously approved SB 1888, by Sen.
Ronda Storms (R-Hillsborough). The bill now moves forward to the Senate
Judiciary Committee as a Committee substitute. Shanique Gayle, a young
woman raised by her grandmother spoke eloquently to the committee about
the need for the bill. The Florida Bar Family Law section also
supported the bill. DCF Secretary George Sheldon thanked Sen. Storms
for sponsoring the bill. On the House side, HB 1519 by Rep.
Rich Glorioso (R-Hillsborough) was referred to the Criminal & Civil
Justice Policy Committee (chaired by Rep. Nick Thompson) and to the
Health Care Services Policy Committee (chaired by Rep. Aubuchon) along
with their respective Councils. Many thanks go to the Florida Kinship
Center and the many grandparents and youth who came to Tallahassee on
Tuesday, and to Evan Goldman with Broward CSC.
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Urge
Senate Committee to Pass Booster Seat Bill
SB 1404 by Sen.
Thad Altman (R-Brevard) has been filed again this year and is set for
hearing by the Senate Transportation Committee on Tuesday at 3
p.m. This bill has the potential to save many Florida children
from death and disability.
TAKE ACTION: Please contact members
of the committee and urge them to support this important legislation.
Broward
Foster Youth Spend Week in Tallahassee
 This
week, Broward foster youth Ernst P. had the high honor of serving as a
messenger in the Florida House of Representatives for Rep. Ari Porth
(D-Broward). Ernst also had the opportunity to meet future Hall of
Fame basketball player and The Children's Trust 2007 Champion for
Children award winner Alonzo Mourning. Mourning was in Tallahassee to
advocate for a proposed kidney transplant bill. Years ago, he received
a life- saving kidney transplant when he played for the Miami Heat.
Mourning, who himself grew up in foster care, was  told
of Ernst's situation. He asked to be re-introduced to Ernst and
they eventually connected in the Governor's office. He greeted Ernst
and said, "I hear we have something in common, we both grew up in
the system." They talked for awhile about their respective
situations and related on a level that few people can. Many, many
thanks to Rep. Porth for making this all possible.
~ Submitted by Evan Goldman, Broward
CSC
Kinship
Rally Comes to Tally
Kinship was the
focus of advocates from around the state who arrived at the Capitol to
support the 345,000 Florida children being raised by relatives other
than their parents. A Tuesday "Grand Rally" of 150+
grandparents raising grandchildren featured DCF Secretary George
Sheldon and Don Winstead, who was recently appointed as Governor
Crist's Stimulus Czar. The caregivers who came from across the
state then lobbied legislators in support of SB 1888 (Sen. Storms),
which would provide a concurrent custody option for informal relative
caregivers. The measure would, among other things, allow
caregivers raising children not placed by the court system to enroll
them in school and seek health care options. On Wednesday, SB
1888 passed out of Committee unanimously.
~ Submitted by
Evan Goldman, Broward CSC
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TAKE NOTE
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Foster kids need educational support, now
An opinion editorial by
Cindy Arenberg Seltzer, CEO of Broward CSC, was published early this
month in the Sun Sentinel. The
piece highlights the collaboration between the Broward County School
Board, the Department of Children and Families,
ChildNet and Workforce One. The work is designed to improve educational
services for foster children in the hopes of reducing the alarming
drop-out rates (37% vs. 16% for non-foster care youth). Arenberg-Seltzer
touts SB 1128 by Sen. Nan Rich (D-Broward), which would allow foster
children to enroll in school in advance of the arrival of their
paperwork. It would also mandate that dependency courts determine who
holds their educational rights and, if necessary, appoint an education
surrogate to advocate on their behalf. Finally, the legislation would
help facilitate information sharing among stakeholders working on behalf
of children in foster care. Read the article.
National Law Center Provides Stimulus Resource for States
To help state child care advocates with the implementation
of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding, the National
Women's Law Center and the Center for Law and Social Policy has just
released a new resource: Making Use of Economic Recovery Funds: Child Care Policy
Options for States. The report explores policy options that states
can pursue to create new jobs by serving more families and improving the
quality of care. The report also discusses how to build the case for
permanent funding by documenting how they used these funds effectively in
ways that create new jobs, assist providers, and help low-income families
stay in the workforce.
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Capitol
Connection is also available online at the FCSC web site.
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