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Florida PTA
everychild.onevoice

Green Schools

The Governor has vetoed the energy bill HB7123, which contained the Green Schools language. We will continue to count its passage as an achievement as it is very rare to have a bill passed the very first year it is filed. Your advocacy efforts helped this bill move rapidly through the committees and both houses without any opposition.

The sponsors of the bill have assured us that they will file this bill again next year. We thank you for all your efforts this legislative session particularly on the Green Schools bill.

Thank You

Special Session Alert

Dear PTA Members,

The Florida legislature has gone into special session to debate property tax reform. As you know Florida’s real estate has become quite valuable making it very difficult for people to achieve the American dream to own their own home or stay in their home because of the cost, property tax and homeowners insurance. The Florida legislature feels that property tax reform will give some welcome relief to their constituents. This is a very complex issue and it will be a challenge for the Florida legislature to come up with a solution

While Florida PTA is not against property tax reform, we are concerned about the fall out that will happen when cities and counties don’t receive as much money to sustain the services they now give that benefit children and youth.

If you would like more information on property tax reform, please contact me. As always the FPTA thanks you for your continued advocacy on behalf of children and youth.

Dawn Steward
Florida PTA Legislative Chair
stu2130@aol.com

Florida PTA
everychild:onevoice

Special Session Alert

The Florida legislature is in special session to debate property tax reform. While Florida PTA is not against property tax reform, we are concerned about the fall out that will happen when cities and counties don’t receive as much money to sustain the services they now give that benefit children and youth.

Of most concern is that the current bill coming before the Legislature for a vote in the next few days, proposes $7.2 billion in school cuts over five years. Legislative staff analysis states that public schools would be hit with a $2 billion drop in property tax revenue the first year and more than $7 billion over five years. There is no guarantee that these lost dollars will be replaced in future appropriations for education. Please contact your legislators and the governor immediately.

You will find the phone numbers for your representatives and senators at:

Senators: http://www.floridapta.org/legislation-senators.htm

State Representatives:

http://www.floridapta.org/legislation-Representatives.htm

Governor Charlie Crist 850-488-4441

Message

(Please compose your own letter by clicking on the Take Action button. You can use the information given below to help you with your letter. Please preview your letter before sending it.)

Please call or email your legislators and the Governor to let them know that any property reform proposals that cut education funding are totally unacceptable. Currently Florida ranks 47th (Education Week 2006) in the nation in funding, spending an average of $6,492 per student in comparison to the national Average of $7,734. Additional cuts will only serve to push us further down the ladder.

The citizens of Florida have consistently placed education as a top priority for this sate. A March 2006 survey of 625 registered voters by the Tallahassee Democrat, ranked education as the top issue on voters' minds. This was corroborated by a May 15 - 22, 2006, Quinnipiac University poll which surveyed 1,086 Florida registered voters. A September 2006 poll conducted by the South Florida Sun Sentinel and Florida Times Union once again found that Floridians picked education funding as the single most important issue facing Florida.

Thank You

Final Bill Update 2007

The 2007 Legislative session ended on Friday, May 4. The Legislature will convene in Special Session to resolve the property tax issue the week of June 12, 2007. An updated list of the bills that we have been tracking is given below.

Highlights

As noted in an earlier update, the Green Schools bill was amended on to the big energy bill, HB 1723 which passed both Houses and is awaiting the Governor’s signature.

The session also saw successful passage of HB 967, the physical education bill which mandates that elementary schools (Grades K-5) offer at least 150 minutes of physical activity each week. This bill also encourages Grades 6-8 to offer 225 minutes of physical activity per week. This bill has already been signed into law by the Governor.

The attempt to revive vouchers failed as did the proposal to adopt world class standards, which would have replaced the Sunshine State Standards with a more global approach

We thank you for all your emails and calls to legislators. Your voices made the difference.

Bills with Related PTA positions

HB 0027 Relating to Slosberg/Marchetti Safety Belt Law, Glorioso,
Died in Safety & Security Council
Identical SB 0484 Relating to Slosberg/Marchetti Safety Belt Law, Rich, Died in Committee on Transportation

HB 0031 Relating to Bicycle Safety, Jordan, Died In Messages
Identical SB 1032 Relating to Bicycle Safety, Bullard, Died inTransportation and Economic Development Appropriations

CS/HB 139 - Suicide Prevention Healthcare Council and Gibson, Signed by Officers and presented to Governor
HB 0147 Relating to Public Schools/Transportation, Adams, Died in Committee on K-12
Similar SB 2126 Relating to Public Schools/Transportation, Constantine, Died in Education Pre-K - 12 Appropriations

HB 833 Infant Eye Care, Garcia, L.: Died in Healthcare Council
SB 366 Infant Eye Care, Wilson, Died in General Government Appropriations

HB 0967 Relating to Physical Education/Public School, Weatherford, Approved by Governor
Compare SB 2746 Relating to Physical Education/Students, Constantine, Laid on Table; Substituted for HB0967; Signed by Governor

HB 1257 Relating to Green Schools Pilot Project/Education, Richardson, Died on second Reading Calendar (bill language amended on to HB 7123 which passed the House on 4/25/07) 0n the way to the Governor for signature
SB 2136 Relating to Green Schools Pilot Project/Education, Constantine, Died in Messages, (Amended on to HB 7123) on the way to the Governor for signature

SB 0114 Relating to to Bullying/Harassment/Schools, Baker, Died in Education Pre-K - 12 Appropriations
Similar HB 0575 Relating to Bullying/Harassment/Schools, Thompson, April 06, 2007 – Died in Messages
HB 609 - Discrimination in the K-20 Public Education System,Vana
Died in Committee on 21st Century Competitiveness

HJR 7093 - Authorizing the Division of a School District into Two or More School Districts: Died in Policy & Budget Council

Compare S2428 JOINT RESOLUTION by Wise constitutional amendment to provide that counties having 45,000 or more students may be divided into two or more school districts as provided by law. Education Pre-K - 12, 04/19/07, Failed on a 3-3 vote

SB 0132 Relating to Tobacco Products/Minimum Age, Wise, Died in Committee on Regulated Industries

SB 0150 Relating to Trucks/Minors Riding in Open Body, Posey, Died in Committee on Transportation

SB 0302 Relating to Student Voter Education/HS Seniors, Fasano, Died in Ethics and Elections
Identical HB 0581 Relating to Student Voter Education/HS Seniors, Bendross Mindigal, Died in Committee on Ethics & Elections

SB 0406 Relating to Schools/Nutrition/Health Services, Dawson, Died in Committee on Education Pre-K - 12
Compare SB 2762 Relating to Healthier Child Care & School Food Programs Act, Rich, Died in Committee on Education Pre-K – 12

SB 0418 Relating to One School, One Nurse Act, Wilson, Died in Committee on Education Pre-K – 12

SB 0718 Relating to Imitation Firearms/Sale to Minors, Siplin, Unfavorable by Commerce, laid on Table
Compare SB 2152 Relating to Imitation Firearms/Sale, Wilson, Died in Committee on Commerce

SB930 GENERAL BILL (Kid Care) by Health Policy; Dawson, Died Pending reference review -under Rule 4.7(2)

SB 1212 Corporate Income Tax Credit, Wise, Died in Committee on Finance and Tax
Compare H465 by Legg – Died on Second Reading Calendar

CS/S 2380 Relating to Education/Failing Schools by Education Pre-K - 12; Webster, Laid on Table, refer to HB 7145
CS/S 2380 Relating to Education/Failing Schools by Education Pre-K - 12;

Compare HB 7145 - Scholarship Programs GENERAL BILL by Schools & Learning Council and Pickens (CO-SPONSORS) Nehr Died in Returning Messages

S2382 GENERAL BILL by Webster (Linked CS/S 2380 [see above]) Died on Calendar

Compare HB 7211 - Corporate Income Tax Trust Fund/DOR GENERAL BILL by Policy & Budget Council and Sansom ; Died on Third Reading Calendar

Bills of Interest

HB 0277 Relating to Students/School Attendance, Thompson, Died in Committee on 21st Century Competitiveness
Compare SB 0360 Relating to Mandatory School Attendance/Age, Wilson,
Died in Committee on Education Pre-K - 12

HB 0509 Relating to Children & Youth Cabinet Act, Ausley, Passed House, in messages to Senate, substituted for SB 564, Passed Senate-on the way to the Governor
Similar SB 0564 Relating to Children & Youth Cabinet Act, Rich, Laid on Table, refer to CS/HB 509

HB 0557 Relating to Exceptional Disabled Student/Educ., Randolph, Died in Schools & Learning Council
Identical SB 2130 Relating to Exceptional Disabled Student/Educ., Constantine, Died in Messages

HB 1341 Relating to John M. McKay Scholarships, Precourt, Died in Committee on Education Innovation & Career Preparation
Compare SB 1642 Relating to McKay Scholarships/Autism Disorder, Fasano, Died in Committee on Education Pre-K – 12

SB 2370 Relating to School Wellness & Physical Education Policies, Wilson, Died in Committee on Education Pre-K - 12

SB 2600 Relating to Transition Program/Students with Disabilities, King, Jr.
Died in Committee on Education Pre-K - 12

THANK YOU

KidCare

There are an estimated 500,000 kids living in the state who do not have access to health care, with many of them being eligible for KidCare.

Florida Kidcare, our state’s children’s health insurance program for uninsured children under age 19, has not been adequately funded. At this time Florida has over 7,000 eligible children without insurance. These children should be provided with affordable health insurance. We need your voices to speak on their behalf.

The House approved their version of the KidCare bill which includes coverage for children of state employees and immigrant children. The bill is in Senate messages and may encounter challenges on the coverage of children of state employees or immigrant children.

Please call or email the Senate President Ken Pruitt at 850-487-5088, pruitt.ken.web@flsenate.gov with the following message:

Please urge Senator Pruitt to support a Florida KidCare bill which:

• streamlines the process
• ensures the eligibility of state employees and immigrant children
• provides adequate funds

Vouchers

SB 2380 and SB 2382 the subjects of last week’s voucher alert have been scheduled for the Special order Calendar for a vote on the Senate floor tomorrow, May 1. If you haven’t contacted your legislator yet, you may send them an email from the Florida PTA web site at http://www.floridapta.org/legislation-alert.htm or call them at the number listed below.

A sample message is provided on the Florida PTA website. The House passed this measure earlier today so senators need to hear from you to vote against this bill.

Vouchers

SB 2380 and its linked companion, SB 2382, by Senator Dan Webster are moving through the Florida Senate and may be on the floor for a vote early next week. Both bills need to pass in order for the program to be established.

These bills would establish a voucher program that has the same provisions as Opportunity Scholarships. It would establish a trust fund into which all corporate income taxes collected would be deposited. This trust fund money would be used to fund a private program that provides private school vouchers.

In essence, these corporate taxes are being diverted from General Revenue, where they are currently deposited, to this special trust fund. In addition, this legislation denies the Legislature the right to spend any of the money from this trust fund on education programs, thus diverting money from General Revenue that could be used for public schools.

Vouchers were declared unconstitutional by the Florida Supreme Court in January 2006.

Letter Writing Tips

Please do not forget to edit the sample letter. The sample is completely editable. You may rewrite the entire letter or use parts of the sample letter. If you click send without editing the letter, it will go as displayed in the box without the proper wording and format.

• You do not need to add a salutation at the beginning (eg. Dear Sen.) or at the end (e.g. sincerely). That is automatically done for you.
• Please erase all of the points you do not use.
• You may erase all of the language in the box and start from scratch
• You can preview your letter by clicking on the Preview button before you hit send.

As always thank you for your advocacy efforts on behalf of children.

Thank You

Bill Update

As we update the status of the bills that the Florida PTA Legislative Committee has been working on in Tallahassee, we are pleased to report that the Green Schools bill is moving forward very satisfactorily. Both House and Senate bills have reached their last committee of reference and we are working to get them past these committees and on to the floor for a vote. Please stay tuned as we will alert you as soon as the bill hits the floor.

To access a more extensive list of education and child related bills please go to the legislative section of our web page at www.floridapta.org

Both Houses have passed their respective budgets and named members to the conference committees that will iron out the differences and present a final budget to both houses. Meanwhile, with 2 weeks left to go, the property tax debate continues, with both houses passing out vastly different proposals. It is uncertain at this time whether they will be able to craft a bill that is agreed upon by all sides, or whether they will need to meet again in special session to resolve this issue.

Please Note: Bills whose status has changed since last week are highlighted in blue.

Bills with Related PTA positions

HB 0027 Relating to Slosberg/Marchetti Safety Belt Law, Glorioso, 1st Reading on Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Identical SB 0484 Relating to Slosberg/Marchetti Safety Belt Law, Rich, Transportation and Economic Development Appropriations

HB 0031 Relating to Bicycle Safety, Jordan, Added to Third Reading Calendar
Identical SB 1032 Relating to Bicycle Safety, Bullard, referred to Transportation; Transportation and Economic Development Appropriations

CS/HB 139 - Suicide Prevention Healthcare Council and Gibson, Passed the House Tuesday, April 10, 2007 - 04/10/07 In Messages to Senate

HB 0147 Relating to Public Schools/Transportation, Adams, Tuesday, March 06, 2007 - 1st Reading
Similar SB 2126 Relating to Public Schools/Transportation, Constantine, Education Pre-K - 12 Appropriations

HB 833 Infant Eye Care, Garcia, L.: Passed Committee on Health Innovation; Now in Healthcare Council
SB 366 Infant Eye Care, Wilson, Now in General Government Appropriations

HB 0967 Relating to Physical Education/Public School, Weatherford, April 11, 2007 - 1st Reading
Compare SB 2746 Relating to Physical Education/Students, Constantine, Passed by Health Policy

HB 1257 Relating to Green Schools Pilot Project/Education, Richardson, April 16, 2007, 1st Reading
SB 2136 Relating to Green Schools Pilot Project/Education, Constantine, Passed Environmental Preservation and Conservation; Pending reference review under Rule 4.7(2); Now in Education Facilities Appropriations

SB 0114 Relating to to Bullying/Harassment/Schools, Baker, Favorable by Criminal Justice; Now in Education Pre-K - 12 Appropriations
Similar HB 0575 Relating to Bullying/Harassment/Schools, Thompson, April 06, 2007 - Added to Second Reading Calendar
HB 609 - Discrimination in the K-20 Public Education System,Vana
Now in Committee on 21st Century Competitiveness

House Joint Resolution (no bill number assigned) A joint resolution to amend Section I Article IX of the constitution, the class size amendment. Passed the Committee on 21st Century Competitiveness and is headed to the Schools and Learning Council.

HJR 7093 - Authorizing the Division of a School District into Two or More School Districts: Now in Policy & Budget Council

Compare S2428 JOINT RESOLUTION by Wise constitutional amendment to provide that counties having 45,000 or more students may be divided into two or more school districts as provided by law. Education Pre-K - 12, 04/19/07, Failed on a 3-3 vote

SB 0132 Relating to Tobacco Products/Minimum Age, Wise, General Government Appropriations

SB 0150 Relating to Trucks/Minors Riding in Open Body, Posey, referred to Transportation; Criminal Justice

SB 0302 Relating to Student Voter Education/HS Seniors, Fasano, Favorable by Education Pre-K - 12; Now in Ethics and Elections
Identical HB 0581 Relating to Student Voter Education/HS Seniors, Bendross Mindigal, March 06, 2007 - 1st Reading

SB 0406 Relating to Schools/Nutrition/Health Services, Dawson, referred to Education Pre-K - 12; Health Policy; Education Pre-K - 12 Appropriations
Compare SB 2762 Relating to Healthier Child Care & School Food Programs Act, Rich, referred to Education Pre-K - 12; Health Policy; Education Pre-K - 12 Appropriations

SB 0418 Relating to One School, One Nurse Act, Wilson, Education Pre-K - 12, 03/21/07, 1:00 pm, 110-S Temporarily Postponed

SB 0718 Relating to Imitation Firearms/Sale to Minors, Siplin, Unfavorable by Commerce, laid on Table
Compare SB 2152 Relating to Imitation Firearms/Sale, Wilson, referred to Commerce; Criminal Justice; Judiciary

SB930 GENERAL BILL (Kid Care) by Health Policy; Dawson, Passed Health and Human Services Appropriations, Pending reference review -under Rule 4.7(2)

SB 1212 Corporate Income Tax Credit, Wise, Favorable by Children, Families, and Elder Affairs
Compare H465 by Legg – Added to Second Reading Calendar

CS/S 2380 Relating to Education/Failing Schools by Education Pre-K - 12; Webster, On Committee agenda-- Finance and Tax, 04/24/07, 8:15 am

S2382 GENERAL BILL by Webster (Linked CS/S 2380 [see above]) On Committee agenda-- Finance and Tax, 04/24/07, 8:15 am

Bills of Interest

HB 0277 Relating to Students/School Attendance, Thompson, on Agenda 3/27/07 Committee on 21st Century Competitiveness—Temporarily Deferred
Compare SB 0360 Relating to Mandatory School Attendance/Age, Wilson, referred to Education Pre-K - 12; Education Pre-K - 12 Appropriations

HB 0509 Relating to Children & Youth Cabinet Act, Ausley, April 17, 2007, Favorable by Healthcare Council
Similar SB 0564 Relating to Children & Youth Cabinet Act, Rich, Favorable by- Health and Human Services Appropriations; Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading

HB 0557 Relating to Exceptional Disabled Student/Educ., Randolph, Now in Schools & Learning Council
Identical SB 2130 Relating to Exceptional Disabled Student/Educ., Constantine, Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading

HB 1341 Relating to John M. McKay Scholarships, Precourt, Now in Committee on Education Innovation & Career Preparation , Temporarily Deferred
Compare SB 1642 Relating to McKay Scholarships/Autism Disorder, Fasano, referred to Education Pre-K - 12; Children, Families, and Elder Affairs; Education Pre-K - 12 Appropriations

SB 2370 Relating to School Wellness & Physical Education Policies, Wilson, referred to Education Pre-K - 12; Health Policy; Education Pre-K - 12 Appropriations

SB 2600 Relating to Transition Program/Students with Disabilities, King, Jr. Education Pre-K - 12, 03/27/07, 3:15 pm, 110-S --Temporarily postponed

Florida PTA
everychild.onevoice

Florida KidCare

We have the opportunity to persuade our legislators to provide affordable health insurance for all these children as this issue comes before the House Health Care Council and Senate Health and Human Services Appropriations next week. Please visit our webpage at http://capwiz.com/floridapta/state/main/?state=FL and you will see two Take Action buttons on the page. One will connect you to the Senate committee and the other one to the members of the House Council. Please take a moment to write to both of them.

Letter Writing Tips

As always thank you for your advocacy efforts on behalf of children.

Thank You

Florida PTA
everychild.onevoice

Bill Update

April 13, 2007

As the 6th week of the 2007 legislative session draws to a close, we are pleased to update the status of the list of bills sent to you before the holiday break. These are the bills that the Florida PTA Legislative Committee has been working on in Tallahassee. To access a more extensive list of education and child related bills please go to the legislative section of our web page at www.floridapta.org With 3 weeks left in the regular 60 day legislative session, both houses have unveiled their budgets. A conference committee will be named shortly to resolve differences and a conference committee report will be issued for adoption by both houses. The other major issue to be resolved is property tax reform. Although the House unveiled its proposal at the beginning of the legislative session, the Senate only announced its plan yesterday. Again, differences need to be resolved and it may also need to go to a conference committee. We will update you as we receive information.

Please Note: Bills whose status has changed are highlighted in red.

Bills with Related PTA positions

HB 0027 Relating to Slosberg/Marchetti Safety Belt Law, Glorioso, 1st Reading on Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Identical SB 0484 Relating to Slosberg/Marchetti Safety Belt Law, Rich, in Transportation and Economic Development Appropriations

HB 0031 Relating to Bicycle Safety, Jordan, Wednesday, April 04, 2007 - Added to Second Reading Calendar
Identical SB 1032 Relating to Bicycle Safety, Bullard, referred to Transportation; Transportation and Economic Development Appropriations

CS/HB 139 - Suicide Prevention Healthcare Council and Gibson, Passed the House Tuesday, April 10, 2007 - 04/10/07 In Messages to Senate

HB 0147 Relating to Public Schools/Transportation, Adams, Committee on K-12 Schools & Learning Council , Policy & Budget Council, Tuesday, March 06, 2007 - 1st Reading
Similar SB 2126 Relating to Public Schools/Transportation, Constantine, Education Pre-K - 12 Appropriations

HB 833 Infant Eye Care, Garcia, L.: Passed Committee on Health Innovation; Now in Healthcare Council
SB 366 Infant Eye Care, Wilson, Now in General Government Appropriations

HB 0967 Relating to Physical Education/Public School, Weatherford, April 11, 2007 - 1st Reading
Compare SB 2746 Relating to Physical Education/Students, Constantine, Passed Education Pre-K - 12

HB 1257 Relating to Green Schools Pilot Project/Education, Richardson, Passed Schools and Learning Council
SB 2136 Relating to Green Schools Pilot Project/Education, Constantine, Passed Education Pre-K - 12

SB 0114 Relating to to Bullying/Harassment/Schools, Baker, Favorable by Criminal Justice; Now in Education Pre-K - 12 Appropriations
Similar HB 0575 Relating to Bullying/Harassment/Schools, Thompson, April 06, 2007 - Added to Second Reading Calendar
HB 609 - Discrimination in the K-20 Public Education System, Vana
Now in Committee on 21st Century Competitiveness

House Joint Resolution (no bill number assigned) A joint resolution to amend Section I Article IX of the constitution, the class size amendment. Passed the Committee on 21st Century Competitiveness and is headed to the Schools and Learning Council.

HJR 7093 - Authorizing the Division of a School District into Two or More School Districts: calls for a constitutional amendment to divide large districts. These divisions can take place provided no district (when divided) has less than 25,000 students. There are 14 counties that meet this requirement as follows, Brevard, Broward, Duval, Hillsborough, Lee, Miami-Dade, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Seminole and Volusia.
Now in Policy & Budget Council

SB 0132 Relating to Tobacco Products/Minimum Age, Wise, General Government Appropriations

SB 0150 Relating to Trucks/Minors Riding in Open Body, Posey, referred to Transportation; Criminal Justice

SB 0302 Relating to Student Voter Education/HS Seniors, Fasano, Favorable by Education Pre-K - 12; Now in Ethics and Elections
Identical HB 0581 Relating to Student Voter Education/HS Seniors, Bendross Mindigal, March 06, 2007 - 1st Reading

SB 0406 Relating to Schools/Nutrition/Health Services, Dawson, referred to Education Pre-K - 12; Health Policy; Education Pre-K - 12 Appropriations
Compare SB 2762 Relating to Healthier Child Care & School Food Programs Act, Rich, referred to Education Pre-K - 12; Health Policy; Education Pre-K - 12 Appropriations

SB 0418 Relating to One School, One Nurse Act, Wilson, Education Pre-K - 12, 03/21/07, 1:00 pm, 110-S Temporarily Postponed

SB 0718 Relating to Imitation Firearms/Sale to Minors, Siplin, Unfavorable by Commerce, laid on Table
Compare SB 2152 Relating to Imitation Firearms/Sale, Wilson, referred to Commerce; Criminal Justice; Judiciary

SB930 GENERAL BILL (Kid Care) by Health Policy; Dawson, Health and Human Services Appropriations, 04/17/07, 9:00 am

SB 1212 Corporate Income Tax Credit, Wise; Children, Families, and Elder Affairs, 04/10/07, 2:00 pm, 412-K --Not considered
Compare H465 by Legg – Now in Policy & Budget Council

Bills Added This Week

CS/S 2380 Relating to Education/Failing Schools by Education Pre-K - 12; Webster, Corporate Tax Credits for Scholarships, tax credit program applies to students in families having limited financial resources; providing scholarship eligibility to students receiving opportunity scholarships during the 2006-2007 school year for a limited amount of time; providing that a scholarship funding organization may be approved to provide scholarships under two tax credit programs; Passed Education Prek-12

S2382 GENERAL BILL by Webster (Linked CS/S 2380 [see above]) An act relating to trust funds; creating s.3 220.7015, F.S.; creating the Corporate Income Tax Trust Fund within the Department of Revenue; providing for sources of funds; providing purposes; providing for future review and termination or re-creation of the trust fund; specifying the uses of funds transferred from the Corporate Income Tax Trust Fund to the General Revenue Fund; Now in Finance and Tax

S2428 JOINT RESOLUTION by Wise (Compare HJR 7093) constitutional amendment to provide that counties having 45,000 or more students may be divided into two or more school districts as provided by law. On Committee agenda-- Education Pre-K - 12, 04/10/07, 2:00 pm, 110-S --Not considered

Bills of Interest

HB 0277 Relating to Students/School Attendance, Thompson (G), SB 1212 Corporate Income Tax Credit, Wise Children, Families, and Elder Affairs, 04/10/07, 2:00 pm, 412-K --Not considered
Compare H465 by Legg April 11, 2007 – Now in Policy & Budget Council

SB 1212 Corporate Income Tax Credit, Wise Children, Families, and Elder Affairs, 04/10/07, 2:00 pm, 412-K --Not considered
Compare H465 by Legg April 11, 2007 – Now in Policy & Budget Council

HB 0509 Relating to Children & Youth Cabinet Act, Ausley, Now in Healthcare Council
Similar SB 0564 Relating to Children & Youth Cabinet Act, Rich, On Committee agenda-- Governmental Operations, 04/12/07

HB 0557 Relating to Exceptional Disabled Student/Educ., Randolph, Now in Schools & Learning Council
Identical SB 2130 Relating to Exceptional Disabled Student/Educ., Constantine, Now in Education Pre-K - 12 Appropriations

HB 1341 Relating to John M. McKay Scholarships, Precourt, Now in Committee on Education Innovation & Career Preparation
Compare SB 1642 Relating to McKay Scholarships/Autism Disorder, Fasano, referred to Education Pre-K - 12; Children, Families, and Elder Affairs; Education Pre-K - 12 Appropriations

SB 2370 Relating to School Wellness & Physical Education Policies, Wilson, referred to Education Pre-K - 12; Health Policy; Education Pre-K - 12 Appropriations

SB 2600 Relating to Transition Program/Students with Disabilities, King, Jr. Education Pre-K - 12, 03/27/07, 3:15 pm, 110-S --Temporarily postponed

Florida PTA
everychild.onevoice

Green Schools

The Green Schools bill continues to move in the Legislature in both houses. HB 1257 Educational Facilities (Green Schools) by Rep. Richardson, is scheduled to be heard by the House Schools and Learning Council on Tuesday, April 10 at 9:00 AM. If it passes the Council it could possibly be sent straight to the floor for passage or to another Council. With 4 weeks left in the session, it is entirely possible that we can successfully advocate for passage of this PTA priority.

This bill was filed on behalf of Florida PTA and we would encourage all of you to write to the members of the Council in support of the bill. Please remember to take a minute and also visit the Senate alert as the senate version of the bill is also being heard in the Senate Prek-12 committee to morrow.

A sample letter is provided in the box. You may use your own words or select from the bullets provided in this message. Your message will be automatically forwarded to all members of the committee.

Letter Writing Tips

As always thank you for your advocacy efforts on behalf of children.

Thank You

SUBDIVISION OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS HJR 213
March 13, 2006

House Joint Resolution (HJR) 213 by Rep. Brummer, proposes an amendment to
Section 4 of Article IX of the Florida Constitution, permitting a county with more than 45,000 students to be divided into multiple school districts of no less than 20,000 students. The resolution will be subject to voter approval via a statewide referendum at the November 2006 election or an earlier special election.

FLORIDA PTA POSITION

SUBDIVISION OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS (1998) The Florida PTA urges the legislature to reject any measures that propose dividing the existing 67 school districts into smaller districts

This bill passed the House Education Appropriations Committee on Friday, March 10 and is making its way to the House Education Council and on to the floor. Please visit the Florida PTA website at www.floridapta.org. go to legislation, legislative alert and our new advocacy site to send your message to your representative.

Kid Care
March 10, 2006

The Governor has proposed to cut $183 million from the Florida KidCare Program. This could provide health insurance for 135,000 children and/or some of it could be used to restore coverage for non-title XXI eligible children and to restore community outreach that is so needed to help families navigate the very complex program.

In April 2004, KidCare enrollment peaked at 336,000 children (not counting Medicaid); in January, 2006 enrollment dropped to 186,000 statewide. According to the 2004 Florida Health Insurance Study, more than 500,000 children remain uninsured in the state. Over 370,000 of these children live in families with incomes of $19,350 - $38,7000 (family of four) and have at least one parent that is employed.

Florida KidCare has been subject to numerous programmatic and administrative changes since it was created in 2001. Enrollment has been capped and closed, re-opened for limited periods and then opened year-round. Documentation requirements have been modified at least twice. Application processing has been delayed and the statewide information hotline has been overwhelmed and ineffective. The program no longer distributes free applications locally because of budget constraints. Community surveys document administrative and programmatic enrollment barriers. Families are confused and cannot get the information or help that they need. KidCare has simply failed to enroll eligible families whose children remain uninsured today.

In addition, Congress is preparing to reauthorize the states' child health insurance program next year so fully funding KidCare will maximize Federal child health funds allocated to Florida.

ACTION NEEDED: Urge the members of the Senate Health and Human Services Appropriations Committee and the House Health Care Appropriations Committee to protect the health and well-being of children by:

opposing cuts to the Florida KidCare program;
investing $6 million in community outreach using the existing infrastructure developed through the Covering Kids and Families Program housed at the Chiles Center at the University of South Florida;

investing $15 million GR with corresponding local match for reinstatement of coverage for non-title XXI eligible children;

Request your legislator to support the corresponding substantive legislation below:

SB 2050 by Peaden and HB 1365 by Davis restores coverage for non-title XXI eligible children and changes the way the local match formula is calculated;
SB 2654 by Hill and HB 1423 by Bucher restores community outreach and increases the reimbursement rate for physicians and dentists to Medicare rates
SB 972 by Rich and HB 241 by Vana allows children age 1-4 to participate in the full pay program. They are currently excluded.

DECISIONS ABOUT THIS FUNDING IS BEING MADE THIS COMING WEEK. PLEASE CONTACT THESE MEMBERS ON MONDAY AND TUESDAY MORNING.

Senator Bert Saunders     850- 487-5124       saunders.bert.web@flsenate.gov
Senator Ken Pruitt             850-487-5088        pruitt.ken.web@flsenate.gov
Senator Nan Rich              850-487-5103        rich.nan.web@flsenate.gov
Senator Durrell Peaden    850-487-5000        peaden.durrell.web@flsenate.gov
Senator Frederica Wilson 850-487-5116       wilson.frederica.web@flsenate.gov
Senator Mike Bennett        850-487-5078       bennett.mike.web@flsenate.gov
Senator Dennis Jones       850-487-5065       jones.dennis.web@flsenate.gov
Senator Mandy Dawson    850-487-5112       dawson.mandy.web@flsenate.gov

The House committee is meeting on Friday.

Rep. Aaron Bean          850-488-6920                aaron.bean@myfloridahouse.gov
Rep. Dave Murzin          850-488-8278               dave.murzin@myfloridahouse.gov
Rep. Kevin Ambler        850-488-0275               kevin.ambler@myfloridahouse.gov
Rep. Holly Benson         850-488-0895               holly.benson@myfloridahouse.gov
Rep. Dean Cannon        850- 488-2742             dean.cannon@myfloridahouse.gov
Rep. Frank Farkas         850-488-5719              frank.farkas@myfloridahouse.gov
Rep. Bill Galvano            850-488-4086              bill.galvano@myfloridahouse.gov
Rep. Garcia                     850-487-2197              rene.garcia@myfloridahouse.gov
Rep. H. Gibson                850-488-5991              hugh.gibson@myfloridahouse.gov
Rep. Michael Grant         850-488-0060              michael.grant@myfloridahouse.gov
Rep. Dorothy Hukill          850-488-6653             dorothy.hukill@myfloridahouse.gov
Rep. Anne Gannon           850-488-1662            anne.gannon@myfloridahouse.gov
Rep. Curtis Richardson    850-488-1798            curtis.richardson@myfloridahouse.gov
Rep. Yolly Roberson         850-488-7088            yolly.roberson@myfloridahouse.gov
Rep. Eleanor Sobel           850-488-0465            eleanor.sobel@myfloridahouse.gov

House Education Appropriations Committee to hear
HJR 447
February 22, 2006

The House Education Appropriations Committee is scheduled to hear House Joint Resolution 447 at their meeting Thursday, February 23.

The three questions on the resolution are:

1. Should Florida's 2002 class-size amendment be replaced with looser
requirements?
2. Should schools be allowed the practice of co-teaching?
3. Should schools be required to spend 65 percent of their budgets on in-
classroom needs?

Florida PTA does not have a position on the class size amendment, but supports
smaller class sizes based on a pupil teacher ratio. Florida PTA supports co
teaching as one of several strategies to reduce class size until class size
reduction is adequately funded. Florida PTA opposes the 65% proposal.

Please contact the House Education Appropriations members and ask them to vote no on HJR 447.

Please go to our new advocacy site to send your message. There are two Take Action buttons, the first one allows you to send an email to the committee, the second button gives you the phone numbers, in case you would prefer to call the legislators. We are providing you with a menu of Talking Points you can use to frame your letter or phone call. Please note that the sample letter should be edited/ personalized by you before you send it on to your legislator.

VOLUNTARY UNIVERAL PRE-KINDERGARTEN (VUPK)

December 10, 2004

Dear Fellow PTA Members,

Senate President Tom Lee and Speaker of the House Allan Bense has called a special legislature session to begin Monday, December 13, 2004 and ending Friday, December 17, 2004.

This special session will consider the Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten Education Program (VUPK). If you will recall, the Governor vetoed HB821 and with good reason. The Florida PTA was in full support of this veto.

When the legislative committee member is walking the halls of Tallahassee on your behalf, it is critical the Florida legislative members have heard from their constituents back in their district. This will truly make us a strong advocacy force!

“every child one voice”

Dawn Steward

Florida PTA Legislation Chair

The Early Learning bill (HB1A) by Goodlette. You can access this bill by going to www.myfloridahouse.gov - tab to bills – tab on HB1A.

ACTION

You must contact your Senator/Representative immediately. After you have contacted your Senator/Representative please submit a legislative feedback form to the Florida PTA. (www.floridapta.org in the blue box marked “What’s New” – legislative Feed Form). This will be an invaluable tool to your FPTA legislative committee.

Talking Points

The teacher to child ratio should not exceed 1-10. Groups of up to twenty children should have a teacher and an aide.

UPK should be staffed by trained teachers with at least a Child Development Associates (CDA) to meet the intent of the voters in 2000 who voted for a constitutional amendment to provide a free, high quality Pre Kindergarten education for all eligible 4 year olds.

Accreditation such as Gold Seal should be a condition of eligibility for Pre-K schools.

The Task Force appointed by the Governor (chaired by Lt. Gov Toni Jennings) recommended credentialed teachers with various types of degrees, capping class size at 20 and using established accreditation standards for preschool providers. It placed governance under the Department of Education.

Research shows the benefits of providing high-quality early childhood education are evident during school years and persist into adulthood. Giving students a "smart start" pays off in better overall readiness to start school and higher student achievement at all educational levels.

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DRAFT LETTER SAMPLE

December 13, 2004

The Honorable xxxxxxxx

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Tallahassee