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Smaller State
Budget Nears
Completion
The Florida House and Senate have passed
differing spending plans with the House at $65.1 billion
and the Senate at $65.9 billion. Both plans are roughly
$5 billion less than last year's budget. FCSC learned
last week that cuts to the School Readiness program
appear to have improved slightly. Total reduction
amounts for School Readiness have been difficult to
determine due to differing reduction strategies used by
the House and Senate, including cuts in TANF, CCDF,
HIPPY, ELIS and GR. Later this week, the House and
Senate will go into budget conference committees with
final proposed appropriations. Legislators must
reconcile budget differences and agree on the state
budget package before submitting a final budget to Gov.
Crist. Below is how budget reductions are stacking
up.
|
ISSUE |
SENATE |
HOUSE |
COMMENT |
|
School
Readiness |
-$14.5
M |
-$11
M |
|
|
Healthy
Start |
-$.7
M |
-$5
M |
Reduction
in Family Health (DOH). |
|
Healthy
Families |
-$3.8
M |
-$3.9
M |
12.5%
reduction. |
|
Early
Steps |
-$3.8
M |
-$1
M |
Reduced
federal funding authority. |
|
Children's
Medical Services |
-$7.8
M |
-$11.7 |
17%
reduction in GR in House; 11% reduction in GR in
Senate. |
|
Community
Based Care |
-$18.9
M |
-$18.9
M |
4.4%
reduction. |
|
CW
Prepaid Mental Health Plan |
-$4
M |
-$4
M |
|
|
Child
Protection Investigation |
-$7
M |
-$7
M |
Includes
5% reduction to Sheriff's ($2.4 M) and $4 M
reduction (71 positions) in DCF. |
|
Independent
Living |
----- |
-$7
M |
25%
reduction in House. |
|
Adoption
Maintenance Subsidies |
$16.6
M |
$16.6
M |
Program
is funded at same amount as last year. However, it
is running at a deficit. With current adoption
goals, FCF predicts the program will run at a
$16.6 M deficit by next year. |
|
JACS |
-$.34
M |
-$7
M |
House
cuts $3.65 M from high-volume JACs in Palm Beach,
Pinellas, Broward, Miami-Dade, Hillsborough, and
Orange counties. Low-volume JACs are cut by $3.4
M. |
|
CINS/FINS |
-$1.8
M |
-$1.8
M |
|
|
Gender
Specific |
-$0.69
M |
-$0.35
M |
Reduction
in PACE; GAP (4 additional
locations) |
Per
student funding for VPK still remains the same as last
year in the House at $2,677 per student. In the Senate,
per student funding was reduced to 2,572 per student.
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 remains 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). |
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Third Time Not a Charm for
TABOR
After months of deliberation, numerous
drafts and two previously postponed votes, the Taxation
and Budget Reform Commission (TBRC) voted down
Constitutional Proposal 045 (CP 045) known as the "Taxpayer Bill of Rights"
(TABOR). With 14 yeas and 9 nays, the measure
failed to draw the two-thirds vote necessary to place
the amendment on the November ballot. CP 045 had several
iterations but, to the end, it was a revenue and
expenditure cap on state and local governments, and
independent special districts. Two additional amendments
offered this morning to shelter children's services
councils failed on a voice vote.
The primary concern among commissioners
who did not support passage of TABOR was that the TBRC
already passed CP 02 known as the "tax swap." CP 02, which
goes to voters in November, completely eliminates the
school property tax and replaces it with a one-cent
sales tax. Commissioners argued that if TABOR was
also in place, the $4 billion education hole in the
state budget created by CP 02 would be nearly impossible
to fix under TABOR's revenue cap.
Commissioners voting no on TABOR were:
Martha Barnett, Sandy D'Alemberte, Les Miller, Jim
Scott, John McKay, Roberto Martinez, Darryl
Rouson, Jade Thomas Moore, and Carlos LaCasa. CSC
amendment sponsor Martha Barnett, along with
Commissioners Jim Scott and Sen. Gwen Margolis spoke
eloquently in support of the CSC amendment. The final
meeting of the TBRC is expected to be April 24 where it
will review its final package of
proposals. |
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CHILDREN'S
HEALTH
KidCare
SB 888 by
Sen. Mandy Dawson (D-Broward) was approved unanimously
in Health Policy April 8. The bill redesignates the
Division of Children's Medical Services Network within
the DOH as the "Division of Children's Medical Services
Network and Specialty Programs." Also, it creates the
Division of Children's Health Insurance and the Office
of Child Health Coordination within the DOH. It
redesignates ch. 391, F.S., as the "Children's Health
Act," and revises the components of the Children's
Health program. The bill also requires the DOH to
administer the Florida Kidcare program.
Medicaid
HB 5085 by
Rep. Ray Sansom (R-Okaloosa) and the Policy and Budget
Council passed the House floor late last week and was
sent to the Senate. The Senate referred the bill to the
Fiscal Policy & Calendar Committee. Among several
other provisions, the bill provides for the expansion of
the Medicaid managed care pilot program to Hardee,
Highlands, Hillsborough, Manatee, Miami-Dade, Monroe,
Pasco, Pinellas and Polk counties.
SB 1854 by
Sen. Durell Peadon (R-Okaloosa) passed the Senate floor
last week with an amendment that enables the Governor,
the Senate President, and the 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 bill also
discontinues
optional Medicaid payments for certain persons age 65 or
over or who are blind or disabled. It revises certain
eligibility criteria for pregnant women and children
younger than 21, and discontinues adult dental services
and adult hearing services on a certain date.
Health
Care
SB 2534 by Sen.
Durell Peaden (R-Okaloosa)
passed on the Senate floor April 10. The bill implements
Gov. Crist's Cover Florida Health Care Act, which would
allow state government to negotiate with health insurers
to develop affordable coverage for Florida's 3.8 million
uninsured individuals. Private health insurers have
indicated that benefits packages could cost about $150
or less per month. Critics are questioning the level of
coverage a $150 plan could offer, and fear Floridians
could be underinsured and not realize it.
"Farmer's
Marketplace" Health Care Plan
HB 7081 by
the Healthcare Council and Rep. Aaron Bean (R-Nassau)
passed through the Healthcare Council and the Policy
& Budget Council last week. The bill would eliminate mandates
and allow consumers to pick and choose the types of
benefits they want -- a concept Rep. Bean calls the
"farmer's marketplace." Specifically, the bill
creates new programs for the purchase of health
insurance coverage and other health services, and
creates a healthcare marketplace referred to as "Florida
Health Choices Program" and "Cover Florida Health Access
Act." It also includes an employer-sponsored option for
the Florida KidCare Program.
Childcare
A committee
substitute of HB1271 sponsored by Rep. Nick Thompson
(R-Lee) moved to the House floor from the Health Care
Council. The bill provides for the Department of
Children and Families to analyze certain unaccepted
reports to the central abuse hotline; expands access to
certain confidential reports of child abuse or neglect
to include physicians, psychologists and mental health
professionals; and provides conditions for a relative to
be collateral contact in certain child protective
investigations. A committee substitute of the Senate
version, SB 2644, by Sen. Rhonda Storms
(R-Hillsborough) was reported favorably by Children,
Families, and Elder Affairs and is now in Judiciary
Committee.
Autism
SB 2654 by
Rep. Steven Geller (D-Broward) passed as a committee
substitute through Health and Human Services
Appropriations. The bill, titled "Window of Opportunity
Act," requires health insurance plans to provide
coverage for screening, diagnosis, intervention, and
treatment of autism spectrum disorders in children. The
House version, HB 1291 by Rep. Ari Porth (D-Broward),
awaits review in the Healthcare
Council. |
|
CHILD
SAFETY
Children's
Zones
HB
3
by Rep. Dorothy Bendross-Mindingall (D-Miami-Dade)
passed the Policy & Budget Council last week.
SB
500
by Sen. Larcenia Bullard (D-Monroe) is awaiting a
hearing in Children, Families and Elder Affairs. The
bills allow counties and municipalities to designate
certain areas as children's zones, and provide a process
for nominating children's zones and organizing planning
teams and strategic community plans.
HB 3 establishes the Magic City Children's Zone and
Jacksonville Children's Zone pilot projects. The sum of
$3.6 million is in proviso language in the proposed
House appropriations
bill. |
|
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) was approved
unanimously 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. The House version, HB 7087 by Rep. Mitch Needleman
(R-Brevard), was filed last week and referred to the
Policy & Budget Council.
SB 832 by
Sen. Paula Dockery (R-Polk) was temporarily postponed by
the Criminal Justice Committee on March 18, but may be
reconsidered at a later date. 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) was approved unanimously by the Senate Criminal
Justice Committee on April 8. The House companion, HB 273 by
Rep. Sandy Adams (R-Seminole), is on the House calendar
still awaiting second reading. According to former
Blueprint Commissioner Carlos Martinez via written
correspondence to Committee Members, the bills would
significantly increase costs to the counties and the
state for the detention centers, run counter to any
efforts to keep children from becoming repeat offenders
and adult criminals, and will increase disproportionate
minority contact with the courts.
Sen. Dave
Aronberg (D-Palm Beach) offered an amendment that would
minimize the impact on juveniles awaiting
placement. However, the amendment was later
withdrawn with direction from Sen. Paula Dockery
(R-Polk) to continue to work on the bill in light of the
concerns expressed and fact that counties are having a
hard time meeting current fiscal
obligations. |
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INDEPENDENT
LIVING/FOSTER CARE
Foster Care
SB 2762 by Sen.
Paula Dockery (R-Polk) 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.
SB 2750 by Sen.
Ronda Storms (R-Hillsborough) is now in Education Pre-K
- 12 after receiving a favorable vote with 1 amendment
by Children, Families, and Elder Affairs Committee. The
bill provides conditions for court appointment of a
surrogate parent for educational decision-making for a
child who has or is suspected of having a disability and
provides access to free public education for certain
children in foster care. Companion bill, HB 769 by Rep.
Kurt Kelly (R-Marion), was read for the first time on
the House floor, and was referred to House Calendar for
second reading.
Adoption SB
1084 by Sen. Nan Rich
(D-Broward) was passed as a committee substitute by the
Judiciary Committee, and is now in Criminal and Civil
Justice Appropriations. The bill revises various
provisions of the Florida Adoption Act. House version
HB 663 by Rep.
Dean Cannon (R-Orange) has already passed the House
floor. |
U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Health Focuses on
S-CHIP
Senate Democrats April 9 lambasted federal
guidance limiting enrollment in the State Children's
Health Insurance Program, saying the directive is
illegal and will result in denial of health care
coverage to millions of children. Democrats on the
Senate Finance Health Subcommittee said the directive
from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
placed an unattainable mandate on states and was an
attempt by the current administration to limit SCHIP
coverage when faced with passage of legislation in 2007
expanding the program. Subcommittee Chairman John D.
Rockfeller IV (D-W.Va.). Rockefeller said he believed
CMS did not have the legal authority to issue the
directive. More information is available at: http://finance.senate.gov/sitepages/hearing040908.htm.
U.S. House
Energy & Commerce Committee Takes Up
Medicaid
Members of the House Energy and Commerce
Committee agreed to place a moratorium on seven HHS
Medicaid regulations until April 1. The bill could be
passed as a stand-alone measure, or could be attached to
an emergency Iraq spending bill to expedite its
enactment. More information is available at: http://energycommerce.house.gov/
U.S. Senators Seek to
Preserve Health Care for Nation's Most
Vulnerable A bipartisan group of Senators has filed
legislation aimed at reversing threats to health care
access for America's seniors, pregnant women,
individuals with disabilities and children. Sens.
Jay Rockefeller (D-WV), Olympia Snowe (R-ME) and Edward
Kennedy (D-MA) introduced the Economic Recovery in
Health Care Act of 2008, legislation that would
implement a one-year moratorium on proposed regulatory
changes to Medicaid and CHIP, and provide states in need
with federal relief.
Additionally, the Act offers
temporary state fiscal relief by providing $12 billion
in targeted state fiscal relief - with $6 billion in
additional Medicaid assistance and $6 billion in general
revenue-sharing grants to states. Each state must meet
certain criteria in order to qualify for relief payments
under the bill. The criteria would be based on the
average of state ranks in unemployment, food stamp
participation, and foreclosures. To view the bill,
go to the Library of Congress web site at: http://thomas.loc.gov/ and search for bill
2819. | |
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In Other News
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. The bill is sitting on the Second
Reading Calendar waiting to be
heard.
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Capitol
Connection is also available online at the FCSC
web
site.
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