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State Budget
Cuts Close to
Final
With three
weeks left until the end of the 2008 Legislative
Session, the budget process continues to move rapidly.
The proposed budget and implementing bills were heard in
the Policy and Budget Council on Thursday, April 3. The
bills will be heard on both the House and Senate floors
Thursday, April 9.
|
DEPT. |
PROGRAM |
SENATE |
HOUSE |
|
AWI |
School
Readiness (subsidized child care) |
-$17
M |
-$12.4
M |
|
DOH |
Healthy
Start |
-$0.76
M |
-$5
M |
|
DOH |
Children's
Medical Services |
-$7.5
M |
-$11.7
M |
|
DCF |
Community
Based Care |
-$18.9
M |
-$18.9
M |
|
DCF |
Healthy
Families |
-$3.8
M |
-$3.9
M |
|
DCF |
Independent
Living |
-- |
-$7
M |
|
DCF |
Child
Protection Investigation |
-$7
M |
-$7
M |
|
DCF |
CW
Prepaid Mental Health Plan |
-$4
M |
-$4
M |
|
DCF |
Adoption
Maintenance Subsidy (projected
deficit) |
-$6-7
M |
-$6-7
M |
|
DJJ |
JACS |
-$3.7
M |
-$3.7
M |
|
DJJ |
CINS/FINS |
-$1.8
M |
-$1.8
M |
|
DJJ |
Gender
Specific |
-$0.69
M |
-$0.35
M |
On
a bright note, per student funding for VPK is better
this year with the House proposing $2,677 per student
and the Senate proposing $2,572 per student, compared to
$2,611 per student last year. Total funds allocated for
VPK are $345.4 million in the Senate and $366 million in
the House, down slightly from last year's $376 million.
Proposed funding for KidCare slots is also promising
with money budgeted for 38,417 additional slots.
However, House
and Senate appropriations bills freeze Florida Healthy
Kids' (FHKs) capitation rates to its contracted plans at
the June 30, 2008, level thereby reducing FHKs'
allocation by $15.4 million (includes state and federal
match). Coverage for the continuation of non-Title XXI
children will be fully supported by local funds (no
state funds or local match credits are provided
for). |
|
FCSC Organizes Media Event, Urges
Lawmakers to Protect Kid's Programs
Concerned about multi-million cuts to
critical children's programs and services, the Florida
Children's Services Council (FCSC) organized a press
event at the Capitol last Tuesday with support and
participation from 18 other child advocacy
organizations. Under the name, Coalition to Protect
Florida's Children, advocacy groups stood together with
legislators and state agency representatives to urge the
Florida Legislature to protect children and families
from becoming casualties in the battle of budget cuts.
The event focused primarily on cuts to School Readiness,
Foster Care, Healthy Families and Healthy
Start.
Media event
speakers included David Lawrence, board chair of The
Children's Trust, Glen Casel, chairman of the Florida
Coalition for Children, Dr. Judy Schaechter, professor
at the University of Miami,
Mailman Center for Child Development, pregnant mother
Tomika
Archie-Smith with the Capital Area Healthy Start
Coalition, and former
foster youth Michael Dunlavy with Florida Youth Shine in
Jacksonville. FCSC distributed media kits, including an
issue summary
sheet.
FCSC
thanks the speakers and coalition members for their
involvement and support at last Tuesday's event. Special
thanks also go to Jason Zaborske, Children's Week event
organizer, for helping to secure a prime location for
the event.
Members
of the Coalition to Protect Florida's
Children
The Association of Early Learning
Coalitions
The Child Development Education
Alliance
The Children's Forum
Children's Home Society of
Florida
Early Childhood Association of
Florida
Florida
Afterschool
Network
Florida Association
of Healthy Start Coalitions
Florida Catholic
Conference
Florida's Children
First
Florida
Child Health Care Coalition
Florida Coalition
for Children
Florida Consortium
of Advocates for Infants & Toddlers,
Inc.
Florida
PTA
Florida Pediatric
Society
Florida Juvenile Justice
Association
Lawyers for Children
America
March of Dimes
United Way of
Florida |
|
TBRC Continues
Historical Debate on TABOR
The Taxation and Budget Reform Commission
(TBRC) held a 10-hour meeting last Friday and, once
again, tabled action on CP 045, the "Taxpayer Bill of Rights" (TABOR)
proposal. The proposal by Commissioner Mike Hogan
imposes revenue and expenditure caps on state and local
governments, as well as all special districts. Another
provision within the proposal that would have required
voters to approve all new or increased taxes or fees was
removed. Commissioner Martha Barnett filed an amendment
to exempt dependent and independent Children's Services
Councils (CSCs) from TABOR's revenue and expenditure
caps. However, the amendment was one vote shy of the
three-quarters necessary for late-filed amendments to
move forward.
In other TBRC news, commissioners did not
approve CP 051 by Commissioner Nancy Riley, which would
have limited the duration of special taxing districts
created after 2009 to 11 years. Another constitutional
proposal to authorize state funding of private schools
through vouchers failed by just one vote after lengthy
and dramatic debate about the measure. Commissioners did
approve a proposal giving voters the option to fund
local community colleges with a sales tax. Also, members
approved a proposal to require the assessment of land
set aside for conservation based on that purpose rather
than the potential for its development.
The TBRC is scheduled to meet again
Monday, April 14. A new version of the TABOR proposal is
on next week's agenda, along with several other
proposals. Commissioner Barnett has filed another
version of the CSC amendment, which will be considered
at the April 14 meeting. See the web site for the
April 14 TBRC
agenda and materials. The
FCSC extends a very big thank you to Commissioner Martha
Barnett for her commitment to CSCs, and her strong
advocacy for important principles throughout this
arduous
process. |
EARLY
CHILDHOOD EDUCATION &
CARE
Early Learning
HB 879 by Rep. Kurt Kelly (R-Marion), which is
the Success in Early Learning Act, passed favorably out
of the House Economic Expansion and Infrastructure
Council and is now in the House Policy and Budget
Council. Companion bill SB
1670 by Sen. Don Gaetz
(R-Walton) passed the Senate Commerce Committee on April
8 with an amendment. Sen. Evelyn Lynn (R-Volusia)
offered a controversial amendment to the bill
requiring proficiency in English as an additional
criterion for Kindergarten Readiness screening. This
would have jeopardized scores in South Florida
communities, which impacts funding and the
sustainability of providers. Consequently, a late filed
amendment was approved to change English proficiency
from a requirement to a component of the readiness rate
in order to eliminate fiscal implication. The bill
now goes to
Judiciary. |
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CHILDREN'S
HEALTH
Health
Care/KidCare
SB
2534 by Sen. Durell
Peaden (R-Okaloosa) implements Gov. Crist's Cover
Florida Health Care Act, which includes removing full
pay caps in both Medikids and Healthy Kids, modifies the
health flex plan with an expiration date of July 1,
2014, and creates other health care options for the
uninsured. However, the full-pay provision was
removed from the bill in Health and Human Services
Appropriations last week. FCSC staff offered a
compromise amendment to limit the full-pay option to
individuals under 250 percent FPL, and cap the full-pay
amount at 25 percent to ensure adverse selection will
not occur as an unintended consequence as parents with
children with pre-existing conditions forgo private
coverage, thus changing the actuarials and increasing
the co-pays for existing enrollees.
Sen. Mandy Dawson (D-Broward) refiled her
KidCare bill, SB 888, from last year. The bill will be heard
April 8 in the Health Policy Committee.
Medicaid
Reform
The
Medicaid implementing bill that would expand reform to
Miami-Dade County in 2009 was amended in the Policy and
Budget Council last Thursday. Two approved amendments by
Rep. Juan Zapata (R-Miami-Dade) delay the expansion of
Medicaid Reform into South Florida, as well as Pasco,
Pinellas, Hardee, Hillsborough, Highlands, Manatee and
Polk counties until 2010.
By delaying
enrollment in the plan until Sept. 1, 2010, Zapata said
the legislature will have "the next two legislative
sessions" to examine the results of a University of
Florida study and to "address the issues." Key House
Republicans, however, contend it is inevitable that the
state will expand the pilot program even though it has
come under fire from health care advocates and been the
subject of a critical inspector general's report. Rep.
Aaron Bean, (R-Nassau), chairman of the House Healthcare
Council, called the current Medicaid program "truly
unsustainable'' due to its costs. "We believe the
program is working,'' said Bean.
In addition to
delaying the expansion into Miami-Dade County, Zapata's
amendment deleted language that would have allowed
statewide expansion effective 2011 and authorizes the
Governor, Senate President and House Speaker to convene
workgroups to propose alternatives for cost-effective
health and long-term care reforms, including but not
limited to reforms for
Medicaid.
The Senate
has not taken a position to support the
expansion.
Autism
SB 2654 by
Rep. Steven Geller (D-Broward), titled the Window of
Opportunity Act, requires health insurance plans to
provide coverage for screening, diagnosis, intervention,
and treatment of autism spectrum disorders in children.
The bill was reported favorably out of the Health Policy
Committee after members enjoyed a special appearance by
Gov. Charlie Crist who urged lawmakers to support the
bill. It is filed as a committee substitute. The House
version, HB 1291 by Rep. Ari Porth (D-Broward),
was reported favorably by the Committee on Health
Innovation, and is now in the Healthcare
Council. |
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CHILD
SAFETY
Booster
Seats
SB 668 by
Sen. Bill Posey (R-Orange) requiring a safety restraint
for children 4-7 years old was reported favorably in the
Transportation Committee last week, and is now in the
Criminal Justice Committee. The companion bill, HB 619 by Rep. Dan Gelber
(D-Miami-Dade), is still awaiting a hearing in the
Economic Expansion and Infrastructure
Council. |
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Juvenile
Justice
Substantive
legislation advancing the recommendations of the
Blueprint Commission continues to move through the
process. SB 700 by
Sen. Victor Crist (R-Hillsborough) is scheduled to be
heard by the Judiciary Committee on April 8. PCB
SSC4 by the House Juvenile Justice Committee was
submitted as a Council bill by the Safety and Security
Council on April 1. SB 832 by
Sen. Paula Dockery (R-Polk) was temporarily postponed by
the Criminal Justice Committee on March 18, but is
expected to be reconsidered. If passed, the bills would
address important Blueprint Commission recommendations
such as disproportionate minority contact, zero
tolerance and the sealing and expungement of juvenile
records.
SB 792
relating to Juvenile Justice by Sen. Carey Baker
(R-Lake) is scheduled for its first committee stop in
the Senate Criminal Justice Committee on April 8. The
House companion HB 273 by
Rep. Sandy Adams (R-Seminole) was placed on the House
calendar on second reading on March 13. According to
former Blueprint Commissioner Carlos Martinez, the bill
would significantly increase costs to the counties and
the state for the detention centers, runs counter to any
efforts to keep children from becoming repeat offenders
and adult criminals, and will increase disproportionate
minority contact with the courts.
Gender
specific programs such as GAP and PACE, CINS/FINS and
low utilization JACS are still experiencing reductions.
It is hoped that some of these shortfalls will be
addressed by the legislative leadership in the coming
days. |
|
INDEPENDENT
LIVING/FOSTER CARE
Foster
Care
SB 2762 by Sen.
Paula Dockery (R-Polk) passed the Committee on Children,
Families, and Elder Affairs as a committee substitute.
It requires the case file of a child under the
supervision, or in the custody, of DCF be maintained in
a complete and accurate manner and allows youth access
to their records at no cost. It also
specifies who has access to the case file and records in
the file. It authorizes the court to directly release
the child's records to certain entities, provides that
entities that have access to confidential information
about a child may share it with other entities that
provide services benefiting children, clarifies who has
access to a child's records, and who may bring an action
to require access to confidential records held by the
department. The bill now
heads to the Committee on Judiciary. A similar measure,
HB 1467 by Rep. Will Weatherford (R-Pasco),
passed the Committee on State Affairs. It now heads to
the Government Efficiency and Accountability
Council.
HB 769 by Rep. Kurt Kelly (R-Marion)
passed the Healthcare Council. It appoints a surrogate
parent for educational decision making for youth in
foster care, provides educational records for decision
making, and ensures immediate school enrollment for
youth in foster care. It now heads to the House floor.
An identical measure, SB 2750 by Sen. Ronda Storms
(R-Hillsborough), is in the Committee on
Children, Families, and Elder Affairs.
Adoption
HB 663 by Rep.
Dean Cannon (R-Orange), which requires full disclosure
to potential adoptive families among other issues,
passed unanimously (115-0) on the House floor last week.
SB
1084 by Sen. Nan Rich
(D-Broward) is on the agenda for Senate Judiciary on
April 8.
HB
7007 co-sponsored by Rep. Rene Garcia
(R-Miami-Dade) and Healthcare Council passed unanimously
(116-0) on the House floor. The bill provides
presumption of consent to termination of parental rights
in cases of surrendered infants, removes the requirement
that a child-placing agency conduct a search to identify
the parent of a surrendered infant, increases the age at
which an infant is considered newborn for purposes of
treatment after surrender, and provides for anonymity of
an infant's parents. The Senate companion, SB 1704 by
Sen. Ronda Storms (R-Hillsborough), passed favorably out
of Health Policy and is now in Senate
Judiciary.
Members of Florida Youth Shine, a
statewide network of former foster care youth, and the
Youth Advisory Committee of The Children's Trust of
Miami-Dade County were in Tallahassee to participate in
Children's Week activities. They advocated for the
proposed legislation and emphasized the need to preserve
funding for independent living, protective
investigations and the Guardian Ad Litem
Program. |
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Property
Tax
HJR 7005 by
Rep. Frank Attkisson (R-Osceola) and the Government
Efficiency and Accountability Council proposes a
constitutional amendment specifying that property
appraiser's assessments shall enjoy no presumption of
correctness, and requires that the property appraiser
bear the burden of proving by a preponderance of the
evidence that a challenged assessment does not exceed a
property's just value. This resolution was reported
favorably in the Policy and Budget Council on April 1,
and was filed as a committee substitute April 2. It is now on the
calendar for second
reading. | |
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In Other News
Budget Cuts Adding Up
A closer look at
how the state budget has changed since last year.
$72
Billion
Approved in
May
--------------------------
-$1.2
Billion
Cut in October due
to declining revenues
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-$500
Million
Cut in
March
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-$5.2
Billion
-$4.4
Billion
Cuts from April
proposals in House and Senate respectively
Students
Meet with Children's Cabinet in Town Hall
Meeting
A first-ever Kids
Only Town Hall Meeting was held at the Capitol on Tuesday last
week as part of the 2008 Children's Week. Thirteen students
from around the state were selected to participate in a panel
to ask questions directly to members of Florida's Children and
Youth Cabinet. The student panelists presented
well-articulated questions on issues facing young people and
their families in Florida. The questions covered a variety of
issues ranging from health care and the state's independent
living program for foster children, to youth involvement in
gangs and the importance of art education in schools. Cabinet
members said they were impressed by the substance and depth of
the questions. The Children's Cabinet is chaired by Lt.
Governor Jeff Kottkamp. Cabinet members include the heads of
several state agencies, various child advocates, and five
ex-officio members (including CSC representatives). Some of
the student panel members were from CSC counties, including
the Hillsborough Youth Collaborative (Hi-C) and The Children's
Trust Youth Advisory Committee (YAC).
Highlands
Children's Services Finds New Home
After
working out of a small office and storing documents in garages
since its inception in 1994, the Children's Services
Foundation of Highlands County will finally have an office of
its own this summer. The foundation will be moving into a
1,500 sq. ft., wood-frame house located at 419 E. Center Ave.
Kevin Roberts, chief executive officer of the Children's
Services Foundation, explained that the foundation can have a
greater impact by making the building the epicenter of many
services instead of focusing on one effort. "Rather than
servicing two or three families, we can have an impact on
hundreds of families and thousands of
children."
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Capitol
Connection is also available online at the FCSC
web
site.
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