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 6
April 7, 1997
Last Wednesday marked the half-way point of the 1997 Legislative Session. True to their schedules, both the House and the Senate budget committees voted out their respective appropriations bills on Wednesday, April 2. These bills will go to the full House and Senate for a vote on Wednesday, April 9. There are broad differences between the House and Senate bills, which will be worked out during the conference committee process.
The bill re-directing student activity fees into the state budget, Senate Bill 1704, passed the Senate Education Committee last week, with much protest from students (see related story). Governor Chiles signed into law last week a bill requiring high-school students to take algebra and earn at least a "C" average in order to graduate. The Governor vetoed a similar bill last year because it contained a school prayer provision.
The House Colleges and Universities Committee is scheduled to meet this week, as is the House Education Appropriations Committee and the Senate Education Committee.
The Capitol complex will be buzzing this week more than usual because Thursday, April 10 is Florida State University Day at the Capitol ! We have planned a special day featuring academic and student displays, the FSU Flying High Circus, the Marching Chiefs Pep Band and much more. You are invited to attend the festivities at the Capitol and help us honor our legislative, lobbyist and staff alumni.
As always, feel free to contact me if you need further information at 644-4453 or by e-mail, kdaly@govrel.fsu.edu.
Kathleen Daly
HOUSE
Wednesday, April 9
8:30am-12:30pm
Friday, April 11
8:30am-12:30pm
SENATE
Monday, April 7
11:30am-1:00pm
Wednesday, April 9
9:30am-12:00pm
1:00pm-6:00pm
Thursday, April 10
2:00pm-5:00pm
STUDENT ACTIVITY FEE BILL PASSES
A bill filed by Senate Education Chairman John Grant, (FSU Alumnus) Senate Bill 1704, will re-direct local student activity fees, currently deposited outside of the state treasury, into the legislative budgeting process. A provision in the bill will allow the Legislature to set fee "ranges" which would be appropriated back to the universities each year. Student leaders from several universities, including Florida State, attended the meeting last week to protest the passage of the bill. A main concern of the students was that the Legislature might take some of the money for other university programs. The dollars raised at each campus are now used by student government to pay for a variety of activities, including concerts and lectures. SB 1704 passed the committee with two negative votes. The bill does not have a companion in the House.
BUDGET UPDATE
Both the Senate Ways and Means and the House Education Appropriations Committees voted out their respective appropriations bills on Wednesday, April 2. These bills will go to the floor for a vote on Wednesday, April 9.
Among the significant concerns in the Senate bill is proviso language directing each university to establish a reserve account to be used for matching future collections under the Challenge Grants programs. Funding for the account to be drawn from 2% of the1997-98 operating budget of the university.
The Senate bill also allows for a 10% tuition increase, earmarking these funds for need-based financial aid, equity funding and presidential discretion. The money raised will not be deposited into a local account. The House budget bill allows for a 7.8% tuition increase, with 100% of the increase earmarked for direct aid to students including scholarships, fellowships and work study as well as need-based aid. The money raised will be deposited in a local account.
Both the House and Senate budgets include state employee pay raises starting on January 1, 1998, but there are major differences in how much money is available and how it would be distributed.
State Song Could Change
The Florida Legislature is searching for a new state song that will be more politically correct than the current state song "Old Folks at Home." Last week the House Governmental Operations Committee agreed to create an 11 member commission to select a new state song without using any state funds. The current state song will be preserved beside the new one that has not yet been chosen or written. Black lawmakers contend that some of the lyrics in "Old Folks at Home" are disparaging. Representative Willie Logan is sponsoring House Bill 1069, which provides for the creation of the 11 member State Song Commission. The commission will hold a statewide contest among Florida residents for the selection of an official state song. The bill also provides that the winner shall receive a 4-year tuition waiver scholarship.
Employees Deferred Compensation
Senate Bill 284 sponsored by Senator Pat Thomas creates the Government Employees Deferred Compensation Trust Fund. The bill protects state employees, who put part of their paycheck into deferred compensation plans, from the state taking from that fund. The current law states that money deducted for retirement or future investment is the state's property until it is transferred to the employee or beneficiary. The original bill, House Bill 257, was laid on the table and SB 284 was substituted. The bill passed out of the House and was sent to Governor Lawton Chiles for his signature.
Bills of Interest Update
"You never know," Grant said. "The cost of education is high. Maybe we can't spend $36,000 on Magic Johnson to speak at the University of Florida. Students are worried about being able to use the library at night."
Senator John Grant explaining why the legislature should set "ranges" on student activities fees.
Tallahassee Democrat, Thursday, April 3, 1997
Florida State University
Governmental Relations
Kathleen Daly, Director
110 Westcott Building
Tallahassee, FL 32306
