In a move that is sure to rile some state lawmakers, Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, has filed a budget amendment that would take $3 million from the Department of Agriculture’s “Farm Calendar” and put it towards the University of South Florida’s School of Pharmacy, to help offset deep cuts to the university in the proposed budget.
A bill that would allow K-12 students to deliver “inspirational messages,” including prayers, during mandatory and non-mandatory school events was approved by a Florida House judiciary committee today.
Business and political leaders will participate this Wednesday in the Florida Coalition of Public School Options’ second annual “School Choice Day” in Tallahassee, in a show of support for charter schools.
The Florida Family Policy Council, one of the most influential anti-gay rights and anti-abortion groups in the state, is joining the chorus of opposition to a school prayer bill quickly making its way through the Florida Legislature.
The Florida Senate Judiciary committee voted Thursday against a bill that would have allowed immigrant students who meet certain requirements to pay in-state tuition rates at Florida public colleges and universities.
The Florida House education committee today passed the “Parent Empowerment in Education” bill filed by state Rep. Michael Bileca, R-Miami. The proposal would allow “parents of students assigned to certain underperforming public schools” to petition their school district to implement a “school turnaround option selected by parents.”
The contentious battle over funding for the University of South Florida continued yesterday, with state lawmakers killing a plan that would have held back $25 million from the school next year. Some legislators, however, are still concerned that the school could face a cut of nearly 44 percent — a significantly higher number than any other state university.
A coalition of Florida business groups says government should deliver Internt broadband to Florida’s underserved communities, where “it has been economically difficult or impossible for private companies to provide services.”
In a new Florida Times-Union op-ed, state Rep. Mia Jones, D- Jacksonville, writes that it is “not right” that the state is turning down federal grant money for child abuse prevention and maternal care home visiting that advocates fought hard for last year.
A bill that would allow K-12 students to pray during all school events is currently being opposed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida and the Liberty Counsel. Both groups warn that such legislation would cost the state money in litigation.
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