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House and Senate appropriations committees were busy
analyzing budget numbers this week in an attempt to piece together
their proposed budgets for 2009-10. As reality sets in on the
improbability of filling a $6.5-billion budget hole with cuts alone,
some legislators appear to be warming up to the idea of new revenue
sources. Among the budget-balancing options still afloat - in addition
to more cuts -- are the use of federal stimulus dollars, gambling
revenues ($500 million), cigarette taxes ($850 million), a variety of
new fees, and closing tax loopholes. Both the House and Senate expect to plug about half of the
2009-10 budget hole with $3 billion in federal stimulus dollars. That
still leaves more than a $3-billion gap.
In the Senate, Sen. JD
Alexander (R-Polk), who chairs the Senate Ways and Means Committee,
told lawmakers the committee will take up the budget on April 7.
Alexander said lawmakers would have until 3 p.m. on March 30 to submit
amendments to the bills (SPCB 7060, SPCB 7062, SPCB 7064, SPCB 7066,
SPCB 7068 SPCB 7070) and until noon on March 31 to insert substitute
amendments. The proposed committee bills for the budget will be SPCB
7072 for the budget and 7074 for the implementing bill for the
spending. Rep. Bill Galvano (R-Manatee), who chairs the House Rules
& Calendar Committee, told members that no later than 8 a.m. on
Friday April 3, the two full appropriations councils will publish their
general appropriations bills for the coming fiscal year, along with
implementing and conforming bills. The bills will be in the
appropriations councils on April 7. The amended bills will then be
available by the morning of Thursday April 9.
Both Senate and House
appropriations committees released initial drafts of funding
allocations:
Senate
House
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FCSC Compiles Stimulus Information for Florida
Members of the FCSC Policy Team, Amy Petrila (Children's
Board) and Diana Ragbeer (The Children's Trust), have developed a
spreadsheet on portions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
(ARRA) that impact key programs for children and families in Florida.
The information also includes the funding expected to be available for
the state, although many of the details are unclear at this time. FCSC
is tracking the stimulus package closely and will update the report as
federal agencies reveal amounts and requirements. At this writing, it
appears that the hesitance to accept the funding expressed by some
Florida legislative leaders is subsiding as the grim fiscal picture
becomes clearer. Next week's Capitol
Connection will contain more on how the federal stimulus funding is
applied to balance the state budget as the legislative budget
committees release details on their proposals. See the report.
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Measures
Limiting Property Taxes Continue Movement
Three measures to restrict local property tax revenues
sailed through the House Economic Development & Community Affairs
Policy Council on Tuesday.
- HJR 385 by
Rep. Rivera (R-Miami-Dade) proposes a constitutional amendment to
limit ad valorem taxes levied by all jurisdictions (schools,
cities, counties and districts) to 1.35 percent of the taxable
value (the equivalent of 13.5 mills). The council vote this week
was 10-5 along party lines. House staff projects a $6.3 billion
reduction in local government revenues in the first year of
implementation.
- CS/HJR 97 by
Rep. Domino (R-Palm Beach), another proposed constitutional
amendment, would give an additional homestead exemption to
first-time homebuyers of 50 percent of the just value up to
$250,000. That amount would be reduced 20% each year. The fiscal
note projects a revenue loss to local government of $200 million
by 2013-14.
- CS/HB 521 by
Rep. Lopez Cantera (R-Miami-Dade) eliminates property appraisers'
presumption of correctness in legal challenges to property tax
assessments. It shifts the burden of proof from the taxpayer to
the appraiser in legal challenges. The fiscal analysis projects a
$565 million reduction in revenues to local governments by
2012-13. The Senate version, SB 1006 by
Sen. Mike Fasano (R-Pasco) was approved by the Senate Judiciary
Committee this week.
House Version of TABOR Passes First Committee
HB 1263 by Rep.
Anitere Flores (R-Miami-Dade) passed the Military & Local Affairs
Policy Committee this week by a vote of 8-6. The companion to Sen. Mike
Haridopolos's bill (SJR 1906), the
House version also seeks to impose revenue caps on local governments.
SJR 1906 was temporarily postponed in committee this week.
Gaming Compact Getting Closer Look
The House and
Senate are taking widely different approaches to the Seminole Gaming
Compact. The compact in the Senate would go much farther than a
slots-only proposal being floated in the House. The Senate version (SB 788), which
passed through the Regulated Industries Committee midweek, provides
$79.3 million for higher education. House members have been hesitant to
include any potential money from the Gaming Compact in their budget
projections.
Children's Week Could See Largest Turnout Ever
 Plans
are in place for the 14th Annual Children's Week in
Tallahassee. As many as 2,000 people are expected to travel to the Capitol
next week for the event. Children's Week is an annual gathering of
children, families, advocates and lawmakers to promote policies that
advance the cause of children and families in Florida. A variety of
activities are scheduled March 29 to April 3, including the annual
"hanging of the hands," the Advocacy Dinner on Monday, and
exhibits in the Capitol rotunda involving 80 non-profit organizations.
Local events are taking place now through April in all 67 counties. See
the Children's Week web site, www.childrensweek.org, for more details. Also view
Children's Week television ads.
Stimulus Funds for Medicaid Hit Florida
Washington has
sent Florida the first payment of the federal stimulus package,
starting the drawdown of what is expected to be about $4.2 billion
total for Medicaid over three years. The $363 million, which is for the
quarter ending Dec. 31, represents an increase of the federal share of
Medicaid from 55.4 percent to 67.64 percent. Another request for more
than $412 million for the January to March quarter will be initiated
later Tuesday, Gov. Charlie Crist's office announced.
CFO Sink, Financial Literacy Council Recognize Work of
Prosperity Partnership
 On
Wed., Florida CFO Alex Sink and members of the Financial Literacy Council presented
an award to the Florida Prosperity Partnership (FPP), "In recognition of the outstanding commitment of
the Florida Prosperity Initiatives to promote financial literacy in
Florida." CFO Sink commended the group for their efforts to create
a unified, coordinated, and collaborative statewide effort to educate,
train, and put money directly back into the hands of Florida citizens.
CFO Sink also announced that she would serve as Honorary Chair of the
Group. The Florida Prosperity Partnership consists of almost 20
individual prosperity and asset-building campaigns across Florida. The
FPP evolved from a number of parallel and earlier efforts to create a
statewide coalition dedicated to building financial assets for
low-to-moderate income residents. Among the list of FPP co-conveners is
Broward CSC's own Director of Public Affairs & Organizational
Development Sandra Bernard-Bastien. Congratulations to Sandra and FPP
for this well-deserved honor.
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CSC Public Records Exemption Passes Final
Committee
SB 748 by the
Children, Families and Elder Affairs Committee was passed unanimously
by the Governmental Oversight and Accountability Committee on Thursday.
The bill would make permanent a public records exemption (Section
125.901, F.S.) for children's services councils. The exemption protects
a child's or family's personal identifying information held by a CSC or
by a service provider or researcher under contract with a CSC. Under
current law, the exemption is subject to review under the Open
Government Sunset Review Act, and is scheduled to sunset on Oct. 9,
2009, unless it is reauthorized. The House version (HB 7021) was
placed on the calendar for second reading.
Taxing Districts for
Seniors
SB 666 by Sen. Nan Rich (D-Broward) and Sen.
Michael Bennett (R-Manatee) passed out of the Children, Families, and
Elder Affairs Committee on Wednesday. The bill, which is modeled after
CSC legislation, authorizes a county to create an independent special
district by ordinance to provide funding for services for seniors.
Amendment Filed for Term
Limit Expansion
Voters could extend the terms of state lawmakers from
eight to 12 years under an amendment tacked on to another proposed
constitutional amendment (SJR 1550) that
was approved by a Senate panel on Tuesday. During debate on a measure
to provide property tax benefits to disabled WWII veterans, Sen. Mike
Bennett, chairman of the Senate Community Affairs Council, introduced a
provision to include the term-limit question as a separate ballot item
to face voters who would have to approve both. Critics of Bennett's
amendment said the proposals could be rolled together and force voters
to choose between the two unrelated measures.
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DJJ Blueprint Commission
This was a good week for juvenile justice, with a number
of bills advancing the work of the Blueprint Commission. The Senate Criminal Justice Committee unanimously passed SB 2128 by Sen.
Victor Crist (R-Hillsborough) relating to reform recommendations made
by the Blueprint Commission regarding the Florida Department of
Juvenile Justice. Prior to passage, the bill was amended to align with
the House version, HB 1211 by Rep.
Luis Garcia (D-Miami-Dade). The legislation aims to begin reforms of Florida's
juvenile justice system by diverting youth, protecting victims of
juvenile crime and addressing issues surrounding over-representation of
minority youth. The bill continues the implementation of the 2008
Blueprint Commission's recommendations.
Zero Tolerance Revisions
Approved in Senate
The Senate Criminal Justice Committee on Wednesday
approved Sen. Stephen Wise's (R-Duval) bill, CS/SB1540. The bill revises the requirements for
zero-tolerance policies so that children would no longer be arrested
for such minor violations as bringing plastic butter knives to school,
drawing pictures of guns or throwing an eraser. A similar bill (HB 997) cleared
the House Pre-K Policy Committee. Sen. Wise said his bill would save
money and prevent children from having criminal records by requiring
that schools handle such disciplinary matters administratively.
Lawmakers Approve Bill to
Create Juvenile Justice Policy Research Institute
SB 2218 by Sen.
Stephen Wise's (R-Duval) unanimously passed the Criminal Justice
Committee. The bill would require the DJJ to establish the Juvenile
Justice Policy Research Institute within the agency. Additionally, the
bill provides that public defenders are available to juveniles at all
stages of delinquency court proceedings, and provides for Medicaid
eligibility for juveniles committed to certain residential juvenile
programs. The House companion (HB 1135) has not been heard in committee
yet.
Bill Would Enhance Services for Youth in the Juvenile
Justice
SB 2094 by Sen.
Victor Crist (R-Hillsborough)
unanimously passed the Criminal Justice Committee. The bill would make
changes to the juvenile justice chapter, along with conforming changes
to a few other relevant statutes such as the "Children and
Families in Need of Services" (CINS/FINS) statute and the
"Comprehensive Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services
Act" in an effort to enhance services for youth in the juvenile
justice system. The House companion (HB 1475) is awaiting hearing in
Criminal & Civil Justice Policy Council.
Bill to Expand Detention
Passes Next Committee
Unfortunately, a bill that is less favorable for youth in
the juvenile justice system passed the House Criminal & Civil
Justice Appropriations Committee this week. HB 173 by Rep.
Sandy Adams (R-Seminole) was approved and is on its way to the Full
Appropriations Council on General Government & Health Care. Among
other provisions, the bill authorizes a court to retain jurisdiction
over a child and the child's parent or guardian until the costs, fees,
and costs associated with court-appointed counsel are satisfied. The
Senate companion bill, SB 654 by Sen.
Charles Dean (R-Citrus), has been not been scheduled to date.
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INDEPENDENT LIVING / FOSTER CARE
Concurrent Custody Passes Second House Committee
CS 1 for HB 1519
by Rep. Rich Glorioso (R-Hillsborough) establishing Concurrent Custody
for relative caregivers successfully moved through its second House
committee this week. The bill now moves to the House Criminal and Civil
Justice Policy Council for action. The Senate companion bill (SB 1888, Sen.
Storms) has not yet been scheduled in the Senate Judiciary Committee,
which is chaired by Sen. Lee Constantine (R-Seminole).
TAKE ACTION: Please contact Council Chair Rep. William Snyder
(R-Palm Beach) and ask him to place the bill on the House Criminal and
Civil Justice Policy Council agenda for next week.
Bills Advance to Help
Foster Youth Access Their Records, Maintain Education
HB 1439 by Rep.
Peter Nehr (R-Pinellas) and SB 126 by Sen.
Paula Dockery (R-Polk), which provide foster children with access to
their own records passed through committees in both the House and
Senate this week and move to their respective Councils for
deliberation. These bills are supported by youth and advocates as a
means help to remove barriers for foster youth. Unfortunately, an
amendment passed to take out the transparency piece. Related bills, HB 783 and SB 1128, will
address problems faced by foster youth in continuing/ maintaining their
education (such as enrollment when their placement changes) and
provides supports for youth in school passed in both chambers.
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Congress Passes Edward M. Kennedy Serve America
Act
The U.S. Senate passed the Serve America Act
yesterday, naming the law in honor of Sen. Ted Kennedy, a lifelong
advocate for volunteerism and public service. The House passed an
almost identical version earlier in the week and may take up and pass
the Senate version as soon as Monday. The law expands Americorp and
more than triples the number of service volunteers and creates new
special areas like strengthening schools, improving health care, and
boosting energy efficiency. The new program was crafted through a
bipartisan effort that was fast-tracked by President Obama when he
assumed office. For more information, visit NationalService.gov >
Press Release.
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TAKE
NOTE
Lawton "Bud" Chiles Speaks Out on Cigarette Taxes
Son of former Florida
Governor Lawton Chiles, Lawton "Bud" Chiles III is speaking out
about cigarette taxes. His recent editorial, published in newspapers
across the state, urges legislators to close the loop hole in the state's
tobacco lawsuit settlement by placing a 40-cent per pack assessment on
cigarettes sold by companies that were not included in the original
settlement. Chiles says the additional revenue could be used to pay for
Healthy Start. Chiles is also president of the Lawton Chiles Foundation. Read his editorial.
Former Foster Youth Advocates for Access to Records
At age 26, the world is a
proverbial oyster for Mike Dunlavy. And he's set to conquer it, but not
just for himself. Mike is a former foster youth, having spent 12 years in
Florida's dependency system. He's working with Broward-based Florida's
Children First to organize former foster care youth, helping them become
effective advocates for those in the dependency system. So while this
future law student could have been doing just about anything last week,
he was in Tallahassee, speaking with lawmakers about legislation to
provide foster youth with access to their records and the ability to
pursue a meaningful, high-quality education. Thanks to Doug Lyons and the
South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Mike is chronicling his advocacy efforts at
Talk Back South Florida, the Sun-Sentinel Editorial Board Blog. Read his first installment and
check back periodically for updates from an extraordinary young leader.
~ Submitted by CSC of Broward County
ChildrensBudget.org Web Site Examines Kids and 2009 Federal
Budget
ChildrensBudget.org is an interactive web site that gives
visitors tools to explore how the federal government invests taxpayer
resources in children. A searchable database provides customizable
information on the over 180 children's programs funded by the federal
government, from child health and education to child welfare and juvenile
justice. Go to www.childrensbudget.org.
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Capitol
Connection is also available online at the FCSC web site.
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