G O V E R N M E N T A L R E L A T I O N S
G O V E R N M E N T A L R E L A T I O N SVolume 6, Number 3
March 17, 1997
The technology fee, distance learning and the state budget were the topics for higher education during the second week of the legislative session.
Earlier last week, members of the House Committee on Colleges and Universities discussed the pros and cons of assessing a technology fee of up to $50.00 per semester per full-time student.
Chancellor Reed and Provost Abele each testified on the merits of the fee, while a student from the University of Central Florida testified against the proposal. The committee will vote on the issue this Wednesday. Meanwhile, in the Community Colleges and Career Prep Committee, a Proposed Committee Bill codifying the Distance Learning Institute passed with very little discussion and opposition (see Spotlight on Bills).
On Friday, the House Education Appropriations Fiscal Committee released its initial recurring general revenue budget allocations. Education's allocation, by far the largest, is $428.9 million.
This does not include non-recurring money. Representative Sublette, the education fiscal chair, said he hopes to have an education budget document ready for distribution by March 27, and, would like to vote that budget out of committee by April 2. The House is aiming to pass their budget on April 14, and send it to conference by April 15. The Senate has not yet announced its budget schedule. One final note about the budget process: State and Federal courts decided last week that the State of Florida owes almost $300 million in retroactive pay to doctors who the state may have underpaid for treating indigent elderly patients. The rulings may require severe cuts in this year's budget, including the forgoing of certain expenses such as state employee pay raises.
Both the House and Senate Budget committees will continue to meet in budget workshops this week. The Senate Education Committee will have a discussion on State University Fees.
As always, please feel free to contact me with any concerns, questions or copies of bills and their analysis, at 644-4453, or by e-mail, kdaly@govrel.fsu.edu .
Kathleen Daly
FINANCIAL AID INITIATIVES DISCUSSED
Student financial aid has been the subject of much debate and analysis recently, both nationwide and in Florida. Rising costs, increased demand and limited resources have all combined to challenge the creativity of policy makers, educational administrators, students and families in making the most effective use of available student aid dollars. Members of the Florida House and Senate have indicated financial aid issues will be addressed this session. Issues raised include the growing imbalance between merit-based and need-based aid and efforts to streamline the administration of existing state aid programs. Last year, the Legislature authorized, but did not fund, the Postsecondary Tuition Program that is to be supported by lottery dollars, similar to Georgia's HOPE Scholarship. The Governor and Education Commissioner Frank Brogan recommend funding for the program in this year's budget. There are many financial aid bills filed this year; some of which I will spotlight in upcoming editions of the LegisLetter.
The House Committee on Colleges and Universities has prepared a Proposed Committee Bill (PCB) for further discussion and passage. Some of the recommendations included in the PCB are as follows:
* Eliminates the requirement that students participate in college-level communication and computation skills testing program as a condition for state financial aid eligibility.
* Includes an academic requirement in the State's need-based programs that is not less than the minimum academic requirement for entrance into public postsecondary education.
The Committee will vote on this proposal on Wednesday morning. Tomorrow in the Senate Education Committee, Senators Sullivan and Kirkpatrick will offer amendments to Senate Bill 858, Education Scholarship Programs, and Senate Bill 112 also relating to financial aid. The amendments will repeal the statutes governing the Florida Academic Scholars and Gold Seal funds, and place them under one statute, funded by lottery dollars.
March 17-21, 1997
HOUSE
Wednesday, March 19
10:00am-12:00pm
3:30pm-5:00pm
Thursday, March 20
8:30am-11:00am
Friday, March 21
8:30am-12:00pm
SENATE
Wednesday, March 19
9:30am-12:00pm
Thursday, March 20
9:00am-11:00am
SPOTLIGHT ON BILLS
COLLEGIATE LICENSE PLATE BILL PASSES
House Bill 975, by Representative Keith Arnold (FSU Alumnus), directs the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to develop a collegiate license plate for the 10 state universities and the independent universities domiciled in this state. The bill corrects an oversight in the current law, which excluded Florida Gulf Coast University, the newest state university, from participating in the college tag program. HB 975 has moved to the House Trans portation and Economic Development Committee. Senator Fred Dudley has an identical bill moving through the Senate, Senate Bill 662 which has been referred to the Senate Ways & Means Committee.
FLORIDA RETIREMENT SYSTEM
State employees with 25 years or more of credible service may be eligible for retirement if Senate Bill 1164, by Senator Charles Williams (FSU Alumnus), passes in the legislature this year. Contributions to the Florida Retirement System must equal those that would have been made after 30 years of service, which is the current law. SB 1164 is now in the Senate Ways and Means Committee.
ELECTION REFORM
The Second Primary Date could change if Senate Bill 1008, by Senator Ron Silver, passes this Legis lative Session. SB 1008 would change the date of the second primary election in 1998 to Thursday, October 1, 1998. The bill ensures that all dates tied to the date of the second primary remain unchanged. SB 1008 is now in the Senate Executive Business Committee. Representative Steve Geller (FSU Alumnus) is sponsoring a similar bill in the House, House Bill 1077.
DISTANCE LEARNING
PCB CCCP 97-02, sponsored by the House Commit tee on Community Colleges and Career Prep, statutorily creates two postsecondary distance learning entities: (1) the Institute of Public Postsecondary Distance Learning, and (2) the Florida Community College Distance Learning Consortium, which are currently operational due to existing agreement or rule. The bill also provides for a governing board of the Institute, and requires membership of the Consortium to be appointed by the State Board of Community Colleges. The bill passed the committee 8-2.
INTERNET TAX EXEMPTION
A bill that would exempt Internet access from taxa tion cleared its second Senate committee on Tuesday. Committee Substitute/Senate Bills 404 & 414 by Senators Fred Dudley and Jim Scott was unanimously approved by the Senate Community Affairs Committee. Last year, the Governor, by executive order, established the Florida Telecommu nications Taxation Task Force. The Task Force recommended to the Governor & Legislature that among other things, Internet access, e-mail services, and other computer exchange services be exempt from taxation. CS/SBs 404 & 414 would implement the Task Force's recommendation by expressly exempting "chargesfor or receipts from Internet access services, electronic mailservice, electronic bulletin board service or computer exchange service " from state and local taxation. The bill must next pass the Senate Ways & Means Committee before it reaches the floor for a vote of the full Senate.
NOTICE
The date and location for Florida State University Day at the Capitol has been changed. The new date and location is:
Thursday, April 10, 1997 in the Capitol Courtyard.
