| During the last 10 days, the Florida Senate and House of Representatives have been working through the differences between our budget proposals in order to provide a balanced budget that spurs economic development, incentivizes high-wage, high-quality job growth, and enhances public safety. At the forefront of our legislative goals are the creation of new laws and programs that protect our children and communities, improve educational opportunities for students of all ages, help small businesses succeed in this challenging economy, increase consumer safeguards against deceptive practices, and strengthen environmental standards to guard our most precious natural resources.
Despite a declining economy and reduction to the revenue streams that comprise our state budget, I am pleased to share with you that the budgets of both legislative branches currently provide funding for primary education at the same per-student average that was appropriated last year. Currently, Florida’s K-12 public schools receive an average of $6,873 per student. With the state facing an overall budget shortfall of $3.2 billion next year, House and Senate budget negotiators are in agreement that we should not cut primary education.
In addition to the fiscal work we have done to ensure that Florida’s education system will continue to improve and prepare students to be competitive in our rapidly evolving workforce, the Legislature also approved some significant changes in the state’s education standards, including those contained in Senate Bill 4. This bill, which passed with bipartisan support and was signed into law by Governor Crist last week, requires students to take an additional math and science course in order to graduate from high school. These additional courses will benefit all high school graduates by positioning them to compete in a high-tech, global economy. |
| A bill that requires high school students to take at least one civics course in order to be eligible for graduation also passed. I joined my colleagues in approving this measure because I agree that it is important for high school graduates to understand the fundamentals of government, including the United States Constitution and the functions of our local, state, and federal governments.
After weeks of spirited debate as to whether or not the state should enhance the transparency and accountability of children’s services boards, a bipartisan consensus was built to provide greater transparency and to give taxpayers a voice in their public funding.
As many of us expected, there has been a lot of discussion concerning our environment and off- shore oil drilling. Although it is highly unlikely that the Legislature will pass anything this year that will expand drilling for oil or natural gas, it remains an issue of concern and importance for all Floridians.
Providing responsible, efficient government and improving your quality of life have always been my top priorities. To that end, there are several issues that I have joined my legislative colleagues in support of because I believe they will have a positive impact on the future of all families, communities, and businesses throughout our state. |
- Protecting our children: Senate Bill #1284 Sexual Offenders and Predators
SB 1284 is a bill that I have introduced this year in order to provide greater protection for our children by creating a “circle of safety” around locations that are designated for the use of children, such as playgrounds, day care centers, and pre-K through 12 schools. Currently, the state prohibits sexual offenders and predators from living within 1,000 feet of these locations, but there is no state policy that limits where these criminals can spend their free time during the day. SB 1284 removes this dangerous loophole by creating a new law which prohibits a sexual offender or predator from being needlessly present within 300 feet of a specified location where children are gathered.
- Increasing educational opportunities: Senate Bill #2126 Florida Tax Credit
Scholarship Program This legislation will increase the number of students who are eligible to receive scholarships under the Florida Tax Credit program by providing a tax incentive for entities that voluntarily contribute to this program. This bill also requires private school accountability for funds received through the Florida Tax Credit program by directing private institutions whose scholarship payments exceed $250,000 within a single calendar year to provide documentation which demonstrates the school’s fiscal integrity. The report must be completed by an independent, certified public accountant and submitted to the Department of Education and Auditor General.
- Helping Florida businesses: Senate Bill #1666 Unemployment Compensation
This bill provides short-term relief to businesses by reducing the UC tax in 2010 and 2011. It also provides for an extension of the temporary state extended benefits program, effective January 2, 2010, through February 27, 2010. About 15,000 Floridians will be eligible to receive up to 8 additional weeks of unemployment compensation through this extension.
- Cultivating Job Opportunities: Senate Bill #2482 Workforce
This bill will stimulate Florida’s workforce by requiring all new construction contracts entered into and paid for by the state to stipulate that, in the performance of any work required to complete the project, the contractor will give employment preference to Florida residents whose qualifications meet or exceed those of non-resident applicants. In addition, this bill requires all job announcements pertaining to these construction projects to be posted for 30 days and circulated within 30 miles of the location intended for employment.
- Protecting our environment: Senate Bill #570 Environmental Protection
Senate Bill 570 creates the Recycling Business Assistance Center within the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and Enterprise Florida. By creating specific benchmarks for county recycling programs, this bill will enable the state to achieve its goal to reduce the amount of recyclable solid waste disposed of by a statewide average of at least 75 percent before the year 2020. By requiring public and private entities to coordinate and identify new markets for recyclable materials, I believe this bill will also encourage the creation of new jobs and corresponding environmental benefits.
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| I am confident these bills rise to the level of good stewardship that you expect from a proactive, responsive government, and it is my hope that you have found this information to be useful and informative. As the year continues, I will do my best to keep you updated on important issues, news, and legislation that impacts you as a Floridian. For more detailed information regarding legislation that I have sponsored, or other news that may be of interest to you, please visit my website at www.senatorvictorcrist.com.
Thank you for the honor and privilege of allowing me to serve you in the Florida Legislature for the past 18 years. Although I will be leaving the Florida Senate in November, I have enjoyed the opportunity to work with you, and I will continue to seek your input on important state issues throughout the remainder of my final term. |
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