Governor Ron DeSantis released his proposed 2021-22 budget, the “Florida Leads” budget. The state is facing General Revenue deficits of $2.75 billion for FY 2021-22 and of $1.9 billion for FY 2022-23. The proposed budget is $4.3 billion higher than the current fiscal year’s; however, the increase is mostly due to the cost of the state’s response to COVID-19 and a significant increase in Medicaid enrollment. The increase in Medicaid enrollment causes increased state expenses and increased federal matching funds. The Governor has proposed has over $1 billion in targeted reductions.
Thirty days before the start of the Legislative Session, the Governor is required to make budget recommendations to the Legislature. The Governor’s recommended budget is the start of the budget process that is not final until the Legislature passes its budget and it is approved by the Governor. The Legislature reviews the Governor’s recommendations but has no obligation to accept them. The Governor’s Budget makes the following recommendations for the State University System:
SUS Funding:
$2.7 billion in state operating funding
$52.4 million in administrative reductions. This is a 3% nonrecurring reduction to the E&G budget. Medical Schools are not reduced.
Performance Funding: $560 million (maintain current funding)
Florida Postsecondary Academic Library Network: $20.8 million ($11.8 million for the SUS)
World Class Faculty and Scholar Program and the Professional and Graduate Degree Excellence Program: 3% nonrecurring reduction
Tuition Increase: None
PECO for the SUS: $7.7 million for Lab School Maintenance and Repair
PECO Bonding: Bonding is not authorized
PO&M: None
CITF: $46 million
Bright Futures: Maintain current funding
First Generation in College Matching Grant Program: $10.6 million to maintain the current level of funding
Johnson Scholarship Matching Program: $40 million
FIU Specific Funding: $969,689 to maintain the current level of funding for the annual maintenance of the Florida Public Hurricane Loss Model
State Employees:
No changes to the State Group Insurance Program
No changes to the FRS
No salary increases
Details about the budget are in the FAQ and highlights prepared by the Governor’s Office.
Postsecondary Education and Workforce Alignment
The Senate and the House are both interested in improving the alignment between postsecondary education and labor market demand. The Senate and the House held committee meetings, which focused on the topic this week.
The Senate Education Committee heard presentations on the alignment between postsecondary education and labor market demand from:
Adrienne Johnston, Director of the Division of Workforce Services, Department of Economic Opportunity
Henry Mack, Chancellor, Division of Career and Adult Education, Department of Education
Kathy Hebda, Chancellor, Division of Florida Colleges, Department of Education
Marshall Criser, Chancellor, State University System
The House Education & Employment Committee heard presentations on comprehensive, coordinated workforce and education systems that respond to the rapidly changing needs of the workforce from:
Post-Secondary Education & Lifelong Learning Subcommittee held a panel discussion on various tools and resources available to consumers of the state's education and workforce systems. The panelists were:
Henry Mack, Chancellor, Division of Career and Adult Education, Department of Education
Myrna Hoover, Director, The Career Center, Florida State University
Casey Penn, Bureau Chief, One Stop and Program Support, Department of Economic Opportunity
Bills are referred to multiple committees for hearing. A bill must be heard by all the referred committees before it is eligible to be heard by the full Senate or House. The following bills were heard in committee this week.
SB 52 Postsecondary Education by Senator Ray Rodrigues. The bill:
Clarifies that the postsecondary tuition and fee exemptions apply to a student who is currently in the custody of the Department of Children and Families when they are under the age of 18.
Creates the Dual Enrollment Scholarship Program, which would reimburse eligible postsecondary institutions for tuition and related instructional materials costs for dual enrollment courses taken by private school or home education program students during the fall or spring terms and for all students during the summer term.Funding for the program is subject to an appropriation in the state budget.The estimated cost of the program is $28.5 million for FY 2021-22.
Authorizes a university board of trustees to implement a bonus scheme based on awards for work performance or employee recruitment and retention.The bonus scheme must be approved by the BOG.
SB 264 Higher Education by Senator Ray Rodrigues. The bill:
Beginning on September 1, 2022, the BOG is required to annually report on the intellectual freedom and viewpoint diversity at each institution by conducting a survey of students, faculty, and administrators.
Provides that state universities may not shield students from protected expressive activities.
Provides that protected expressive activities include the nonconsensual recording and publication of video and audio recorded in outdoor areas of campus and in classrooms.
SB 220 Public Records and Public Meetings by Senators Brandes and Ray Rodrigues. The bill creates a public records and public meetings exemption for personal identifying information for applicants for president of a state university or state college. The information will be made public for the final group of selected applicants at least 21 days before the final selection. Bill text and staff analysis.
SB 400 Public Records by Senator Ray Rodrigues. The bill prohibits an agency that receives a public record request from responding to such request by filing an action for declaratory relief against the requester to determine whether that record meets the definition of a public record or is confidential or exempt. Bill text and staff analysis.
SB 72 Civil Liability for Damages Relating to COVID-19 by Senator Brandes. The bill provides specific COVID-19-related liability protections for businesses, educational institutions (including postsecondary), government entities, religious organizations, and other entities. A covered entity that makes a good faith effort to substantially comply with COVID-19 guidance is immune from civil liability from a COVID-19-related civil action. Bill text and staff analysis .
If you would like the Department of Governmental Relations to track a bill this session, please call our office at 305-348-3505 or email us at govtrel@fiu.edu.
