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Florida Legislature

“Unsustainable” Florida Retirement System (Says Gov. Scott) Has Best Gains in 25 Years

July 20, 2011 | FlaglerLive | 9 Comments

The Florida Retirement System pension plan gained $19 billion in the fiscal year that ended on June 30. The 22 percent gain is the biggest in 25 years. The total value of the pension plan has soared to $128.4 billion, among the best in the nation.

Flagler Rep. Bill Proctor: Public University Tuition Should Go Up by More than 15% A Year

July 14, 2011 | FlaglerLive | 5 Comments

Bill Proctor likes his net worth: $2.56 million.

Bill proctor, the St. Augustine Republican and private-college president, says tuition increases at public universities should be greater than 15% so Florida’s tuition costs can reach the national average faster.

They Feel Your Pain: Florida Legislature Home to 51 Millionaires

July 14, 2011 | FlaglerLive | 28 Comments

Millionaires make up almost half of the 40-member Florida Senate and nearly one-third of the 120-member Florida House. Legislators are paid $29,697 a year, with presiding officers making $41,181 a year.

Water Management District Tax Rate Cut 26%, Reducing Revenue and Gutting Services

July 12, 2011 | FlaglerLive | 4 Comments

The tax bill on a $200,000 house will be $50, down from $62, but the district is laying off employees and reducing conservation, management and partnership projects in line with a new law approved by Gov. Rick Scott.

It’s Not Just Flagler: Across Florida, Schools Contend With $1 Billion Less for Education

July 7, 2011 | FlaglerLive | 9 Comments

florida education cuts

From Broward’s elimination of 1,400 teaching positions to Marion’s reduction to a 4-day week to Duval’s cuts in sports programs, school districts have been finding various ways to make shriveled ends meet.

Why Help at Your Nursing Home Will Be More Scarce, and Other Elderly Care Retreats

July 5, 2011 | FlaglerLive | 8 Comments

nursing home deaths

Florida just rejected a federal grant that would have allowed elderly patients to get care at home instead of in nursing homes, where staffing levels may begin to drop this month, thanks to a new Florida law.

Drawing Widespread Criticism, Rick Scott Discovers the Joys of SunRail, and CSX

July 2, 2011 | FlaglerLive | 5 Comments

Sunchips.

Gov. Rick Scott’s approval of SunRail triggered criticism from Republicans and Scott’s tea party base while sharpening a contrast with his earlier rejection of a federally funded high-speed rail initiative.

3% Pension Contributions by Public Employees Begins as Judge Rejects an Injunction

July 1, 2011 | FlaglerLive | 6 Comments

The state’s teachers union is suing over the 3 percent requirement, and was hoping to delay its implementation until the case is settled. That case is still going forward, but 3 percent contributions begin today.

Executive Overreach? Supreme Court
Considers Rick Scott’s Rule-Making Powers

June 29, 2011 | FlaglerLive | 7 Comments

rick scott rosalie whiley

In oral arguments today, justices seemed unconvinced by the case of a blind woman on food stamps. The case speaks to Scott’s rule-making power–and where the Legislature’s power ends.

Florida’s Betrayal of College Students: Sticking It to the Young, Pandering to the Old

June 24, 2011 | Pierre Tristam | 16 Comments

Between Florida public universities’ tuition increasing almost 140 percent in 10 years and Bright Futures scholarship losing half their value, the state is betraying its future while pandering to older, more selfish voters.

Tuition Increases Another 15% at Florida Universities, Up 130% in 10 Years; Aid Drops

June 23, 2011 | FlaglerLive | 3 Comments

Tuition will approach $6,000 next year. For Flagler County’s 750-some students attending college on Bright Futures scholarships, that aid will cover barely half the bill, after covering it in full just a few years ago.

Adding to Mounting Legal Challenges for Scott, Public Employees Sue Over 3% Pension Hit

June 21, 2011 | FlaglerLive | 14 Comments

florida education association pension 3 percent cut lawsuit

The class-action lawsuit is filed on behalf of 556,296 public employees, including state workers, teachers and police officers. It echoes frustrations that led the Flagler County School Board to talk lawsuit last week.

Sprawl-Fighting State Oversight Agency Is Dissolved, To the Delight of Local Developers

June 15, 2011 | FlaglerLive | 17 Comments

The Florida Department of Community Affairs, created in 1969 to manager growth, is being diluted into other agencies, leaving local governments much freer to develop as they choose.

No Lawsuit Against the State Yet, But Flagler School Board Warms Up to Actionable Anger

June 7, 2011 | FlaglerLive | 17 Comments

Ronald Meyer, right, an attorney, has been challenging imbalances in the state's educational system for years. He was invited to address the board by Colleen Conklin, left. Trevor Tucker is at center. (FlaglerLive)

Ronald Meyer, the attorney who’s been challenging imbalances in Florida’s educational system for years, told the Flagler school board Tuesday that building a case will take more time, analysis–and public awareness.

Florida Wants Privatized Camping and RV Sites at 56 State Parks, Including Washington Oaks

June 4, 2011 | FlaglerLive | 2 Comments

The privatization quietly developed plan would bid out the 56 parks to companies that would build and operate the camping and RV sites as a way to generate money and ostensibly help keep the parks running.

Scott Signs Development Bill That Virtually Eliminates State Oversight of Local Planning

June 2, 2011 | FlaglerLive | 3 Comments

Local governments will get to decide how and where to grwo with little or no interference from the state growth-management regulators, whose role is now severely limited.

Palm Coast Looking to Other Cities for Guidance on Storefront Gambling Regulations

June 1, 2011 | FlaglerLive | 3 Comments

The Palm Coast City Council is all for stopping new storefront casino-type “internet cafes” for six months, but is less clear on whether, and how, to regulate them beyond that.

Florida’s Juvenile Justice Eliminating 1,200 Jobs and Closing 3 Youth Prisons

May 31, 2011 | FlaglerLive | 5 Comments

The budget Gov. Rick Scott signed into law last week reduces juvenile justice’s budget 11 percent, and eliminates 700 jobs in addition to 500 vacant positions that will be abolished. The Legislature singled out youth prisons for closure.

Poll Dumps Rick Scott Approval to 29%, Worst of Any Governor Quinnipiac Tracks

May 25, 2011 | FlaglerLive | 15 Comments

Gov. Rick Scott’s disapproval rating continues to rise, to 57 percent at last count, up almost 10 points in six weeks. Even Republicans have curbed their enthusiasm.

Gut Choke: State Eliminates 780 Jobs at Department of Children and Families

May 24, 2011 | FlaglerLive | 1 Comment

DCF Secretary David Wilkins claims front-line workers won’t be affected, but the cut represents a serious set-back in an agency responsible for children’s welfare and oversight.

How School-Voucher Lobbyist John Kirtley Buys Florida Lawmakers’ Votes

May 22, 2011 | FlaglerLive | 2 Comments

John Kirtley successfully lobbied in 2001 to get the corporate tax credit scholarship program approved, and has since, with generous contributions, shifted numerous lawmakers to his crusade.

Texbooks in All Florida School Districts Required to Go Digital By 2015-16

May 17, 2011 | FlaglerLive | 4 Comments

heavy textbooks florida going digital

The new law requires Florida public schools to adopt digital-only textbooks by the 2015-16 school year, and spend at least 50 percent of their textbook budget on digital materials by that time.

Conklin: Time to End the Legislature’s
Betrayal of Florida’s Promise to Our Children

May 15, 2011 | FlaglerLive | 30 Comments

Describing relentless attacks on education and a state of fear in Tallahassee that cost her her own job recently, Flagler County School Board member Colleen Conklin explains why local school boards must take a stand against the state’s erosion of public education.

Hurricane Tallahassee: Environmentalists Survey Wreckage of 2011 Legislative Session

May 13, 2011 | FlaglerLive | 1 Comment

Developers gained more power in environmental disputes, state regulation of development was scaled back, the Department of Community Affairs is all but history as the Florida Legislature diminished the state’s growth management role in favor of development.

From Nursing Homes to Medicaid to Pill Mills, Florida Re-Writes Austere Health Rules

May 10, 2011 | FlaglerLive | 3 Comments

Health care reform opt-out, broad abortion restrictions, managed care for 2.8 million Floridians, less care for patients in nursing homes, Healthy Start slashed: Florida redrew the state’s health care map in the 2011 legislative session.

Per-Student Funding Dropping $572, or 8%; Flagler District Poised for Severe Cuts

May 9, 2011 | FlaglerLive | 6 Comments

As state lawmakers cut school budgets by $1.3 billion, the Flagler school district already has plans to cut its budget by 3.5 percent through teacher layoffs and other means. It’ll make up the difference by using more than a third of its $9 million reserves.

2011 Session Under GOP Supermajority: Stingier, Looser, More Preferential Florida

May 8, 2011 | FlaglerLive | 2 Comments

He has reasons to applaud: Florida Gov. Rick Scott with Attorney General Pam Bondi and House Speaker Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, right, celebate unanimous approval of pill-mill legislation in the House late Friday, May 6. (Meredith Geddings)

The 2011 Session revamped Medicaid, teacher pay and pill-mill regulations, cut the budget and brooked favors with insurers, but culminated in corrosive revolts among Republicans as anti-union and anti-immigration bills failed.

Lawmakers Quietly and Hurriedly Approve $10 Million Statewide Boarding Charter School

May 7, 2011 | FlaglerLive | 3 Comments

The charter school, vehemently opposed by Ormond Beach Sen. Evelyn Lynn, who cited other education priorities, would focus on troubled youth but be paid for with public funds and run by a private concern.

Class-Size Limits Lifted on Numerous Courses As Lawmakers Redefine Meaning of “Core”

May 7, 2011 | FlaglerLive | 2 Comments

Foreign language classes, Advanced Placement courses, and certain social studies courses would be exempt from constitutionally required class-size limits, while caps in other classes could be exceeded by three to five students.

Last-Minute Budget Deal Reduces Districts’ Dollars and Oversight of Charter Schools

May 5, 2011 | FlaglerLive | 1 Comment

Charter schools that have received an “A” or “B” rating in the last three years would be given the ability to expand enrollment or add new grades without having to wait for approval from the school district.

Splitting Florida Lawmakers, Arizona-Inspired Immigration-Law Rewrites Won’t Make It

May 4, 2011 | FlaglerLive | 6 Comments

The Florida House proposal would have turned cops into immigration officers and increased penalties on businesses. The Senate proposal would have been less harsh. The two sides couldn’t agree on a joint proposal.

College Drop-Outs: Florida Lawmakers Cutting Bright Futures Scholarships a Further 20%

May 3, 2011 | FlaglerLive | 4 Comments

Once a scholarship that covered almost 100 percent of a student’s tuition and fees and half the cost of books, students entering UF next year will see their Bright Futures scholarship covering less than 50 percent of those costs.

Property Tax Overhaul Passes House: Breaks For New Home Buyers, Business, Snowbirds

May 2, 2011 | FlaglerLive | 1 Comment

First-time home buyers would get a 50 percent property tax break on the value of their home. Voters would decide whether to cap property tax assessment increases for commercial properties at 5 percent.

Corporate Tax Cut Out, Privatizing Prisons and 3% Public Pension Contributions In

May 1, 2011 | FlaglerLive | Leave a Comment

As the Legislature’s 2011 session veers uncertainly toward its final days, lawmakers struck deals Saturday on privatizing prisons and compromising over public employees’ pension contributions, but no deal yet on health care and education cuts.

Florida Legislature Redrawing Abortion Rules, Targeting Women, Physicians and US Law

April 28, 2011 | FlaglerLive | 1 Comment

The House approved a slew of bills that would force women to submit to ultrasounds before an abortion, broaden parental notification when minors are seeking an abortion, and require physicians to own abortion clinics, among other bills.

School Districts Will Have to Vastly Expand Virtual Education; Charters to Click In

April 27, 2011 | FlaglerLive | 7 Comments

virtual school florida legislature

At least one virtual class would be mandatory for graduation, kindergarten students could take online courses, and charter schools could offer full or part-time classes in what’s almost certain to become law.

Gun-Toting Bills, Supplanting Doctors and Local Governments, Poised to Become Law

April 26, 2011 | FlaglerLive | 2 Comments

One bill would penalize local governments with stricter gun restrictions than the state. Another would muzzle doctors’ abilities to ask their patients about gun ownership.

Growth-Management 2.0: Local Government Whims Sprawl Over State Oversight

April 25, 2011 | FlaglerLive | 11 Comments

Republicans have complained for years that growth management rules slow growth in the state. A glut of empty homes suggests otherwise. Local governments will be empowered to take advantage of far more lax growth rules.

Bail Bondsmen Would Cash In at Taxpayers’ Expense As Pre-Trial Release Is Scaled Back

April 23, 2011 | FlaglerLive | 9 Comments

A bill written to boost bail bondsmen’s business would force inmates to post bond to get out of jail rather than rely on county-run pre-trial release programs. Taxpayers are likely to pay the price as fewer inmates can afford bond and jail populations soar.

Criminal Backgrounds of Health Providers: Florida’s Licensing System Is All Cavities

April 22, 2011 | FlaglerLive | 3 Comments

Dentists, doctors and pharmacists can still practice in Florida even after committing crimes, while the Department of Health passes over criminal backgrounds in a lax and self-reported licensing procedure.

Property Tax Reform: 50% Exemptions, Breaks for Investors, Losses for Local Governments

April 20, 2011 | FlaglerLive | 4 Comments

Supporters of the overhaul say it’ll fill up empty homes. Critics say it’ll also slash local government revenue and further shift the tax burden to current residents, exacerbating inequities.

More Losers Than Winners as HMOs Skim Off Florida’s $20 Billion Medicaid Overhaul

April 19, 2011 | FlaglerLive | 4 Comments

Managed-car plans will take over almost all of Florida’s 2.8 million Medicaid patients. The overhaul does nothing to change the status of 3.8 million uninsured Floridians.

“Education Savings Accounts” Would Shift Public Money to Private and Home Schools

April 18, 2011 | FlaglerLive | 9 Comments

A vast expansion of school vouchers, Education Savings Account would shift 40 percent of per-student funding to children attending private school, to college savings accounts or to home-school spending, among other diversions from public-education budgets.

How Slashing Water Management Districts’ Budget 25% Endangers Our Way of Life

April 16, 2011 | FlaglerLive | Leave a Comment

Allan Milledge, a former water management district chairman, asks: Do you want to jeopardize protection of our rivers, lakes, springs, and wetlands and the protection of our water supply to save an average less than $20 dollars per household per year?

Charter Schools To Be Allowed To Go Virtual As Florida Expands Online Public Education

April 16, 2011 | FlaglerLive | 5 Comments

A proposed law would let charter schools open full-time K-12 “virtual” charter schools, all students would be required to take at least one online class, and school districts would have to offer full or part-time virtual programs.

Union-Busting Bill Narrowly Clears Hurdle and GOP Dissents Before Full Vote at Florida Legislature

April 13, 2011 | FlaglerLive | 10 Comments

The proposed law forbids union deductions from public employees’ paychecks, essentially gutting unions. It passed a committee, 11-9, with three Republicans breaking rank to oppose it.

Conklin Is Fired From State-Backed Job After Talk of Suing the State Over Education Funding

April 13, 2011 | FlaglerLive | 53 Comments

Colleen Conklin has been a Flagler County SSchool Board member since 2000, and had been the chief operating officer of the Florida Endowment Foundation since mid-2007. (©

Colleen Conklin has been an outspoken advocate for education as a Flagler County School Board member for 10 years–and as the COO of a largely state-funded education foundation for the last four. One job cost her the other.

Popping Again: Drug Database and Pill-Mill Regulations Return From the Dead

April 12, 2011 | FlaglerLive | Leave a Comment

drug database florida

Taken for dead only weeks ago, a revised bill that would preserve many pill-mill regulations, ban doctors from dispensing some pills and require permitting process for pharmacies cleared a Florida House committee Tuesday.

30 Days to Go, $3.8 Billion to Find: Lawmakers Set to Flatline Health Care Programs

April 11, 2011 | FlaglerLive | Leave a Comment

Hospitals, Medicaid, the poor, the very sick and the Department of Health would all face severe cutbacks as the Legislature enters its session’s second half, with abortion, pill mills and medical malpractice issues yet unresolved.

Public Money for Private Schools: Voucher Programs Set to Expand Across Florida

April 9, 2011 | FlaglerLive | 15 Comments

Several bills with enough support in the Florida Legislature would expand student eligibility for voucher programs, including making it easier for corporations to write off taxes in exchange for providing voucher money.

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