January 29, 2011. POOF! HB 303 suddenly disappears, Budget shell game begins, Education committees to roll out “teacher quality” bills

(January 28, 2011)

We’re in that legislative purgatory period: It is time to watch, wait patiently and be on our best behavior … although all signs indicate that this legislative session will be anything but heavenly.

We’re chasing down rumors and prying information out of our sources to get ahead of the game.  But, until bills are released to the public and put on a committee agenda, everyone is basically pontificating on possibilities.

So get ready: It’s only a little more than five weeks until the opening day of the 2011 legislative session on Tuesday, March 8.

POOF! HB 303 suddenly disappears
Last week, we told you that HB 303 dealing with the Florida Retirement System (FRS) was filed by freshman Rep. Fredrick Costello, R-Deland.  As we indicated in last week’s FRONTLINE that each session bills are filed and never go anywhere, it was no big surprise when HB 303 was pulled from further consideration.  Yup, HB 303 has disappeared; it’s gone, run through the paper shredder and turned into compost.   However – that is not the end of potential legislative tinkering on the FRS system.

During the Senate Government al Oversight and Accountability Committee,   Sen. Jeremy Ring (D-Margate), announced that a FRS bill will filed by the senate the week of February 14 and have its first hearing the week of February 21. He indicated that the committee will draft the bill creating a framework for a pension reform proposal; then move that bill forward to the Senate Appropriations committee and they will “plug in” the numbers.

After absorbing the information presented to the committee, Sen.  Jim Norman (R, Tampa) remarked “We don’t want to balance the budget the backs of working people if the fund is almost solvent.”

Senator Bill Montford (D, Tallahassee) stated he would be uncomfortable with agreeing to an employee contribution for FRS benefits, then passing that agreement along to another Committee to plug in the number.  Sen.  Ring countered that the Senate Governmental Oversight and Accountability Committee is a policy committee and “it’s not the Committee’s role to decide percentages and other numbers. “

Responding to the question “what is it that we are trying to accomplish here?”  Ring told the committee that they must get three things done this session:

*    Address the problem which cities are experiencing with their own local pension plans
*    Fill the $4 billion revenue “hole” (shortfall) the state is currently experiencing
*    Gather and review data that will help the Committee to match up public sector salaries and benefits with private sector salaries and benefits

We talked to everyone and anyone who may have an idea of what will be in the Senate bill — and as of today there is nothing concrete to report — but EVERYONE seems to think changes are coming.

Education committees to roll out teacher quality bills soon
The House and Senate held workshops and public hearings on “teacher quality” this week.  We heard some great testimony from – of all people – superintendents.  Duval Superintendent Edward Pratt-Daniels pointed out that “you can’t fire your way to excellence” as senators began questioning the panel on their feelings about “tenure.”  FEA President Andy Ford and Duval Teachers United President Terrie Brady were part of a panel that took questions from both the House and the Senate.  Being great educators, Andy and Terrie turned the hearing into teachable moments for the committee members.  Andy reminded legislators that other committees are working on issues that will also impact education employees and they must not ignore the other conversations going on in capital about funding and retirement.

Florida Senate Pre-K-12 Committee held a hearing Friday to hear Floridians’ thoughts on a bill being drafted called “Race to the Top for Student Success” by Chairman Steve Wise, R-Jacksonville.  Sen. Wise created an email address so those who were unable to attend the public hearing to send their views: educationinput@flsenate.gov.

Once again, our members did a stellar job of explaining to the committee how legislation has and will impact their students and their classrooms.  We are give a big thank you to seven teachers and members who took time out from their busy day to testify in front of the committee: Peggy Brookins (Marion County), Megan Allen (Hillsborough), Cathy Boehme (Escambia), Melissa Olson, Candace Gautney, Jennifer Barnhill and Scott Whittle (all from Leon).

Budget shell game begins
Sen. JD Alexander, R-Lake Wales, chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, called for larger cash reserves to pacify Wall Street bond rating firms.  He told members of the Senate Budget Committee that the state should slip an additional $2.4 billion into state’s rainy day fund to meet a guideline he said Wall Street uses to determine states’ bond ratings.  “If we have to pay more for our bonds,” Alexander said, “it’s going to cost us a lot more. Credit rating is important for us.”  Bonds are obtained to fund a variety of state projects such as road building.

The last budget shortfall estimate was $3.6 billion.  If Sen. Alexander moves another $2.4 billion into reserves, we’re looking at dividing up the scraps to cover the state’s essential services: education, health and human services, and corrections.  Education and health care account for nearly two-thirds of the state budget, with the state now spending about the same amount ($22 billion) for Medicaid as it does for all education programs.

There is no reason to believe legislative leaders will change their position on raising the income side of the balance sheet; having steadfastly refused to consider any new revenue sources.

It doesn’t take a crystal ball to predict that these bleak budget estimates will mean deep cuts to programs — and require policy changes.   We should see the governor’s budget proposal in a little more than a week.  Keep in mind that the Legislature determines the state’s budget – and it is rarely what a governor recommends.

The Legislature will be back in Tallahassee the week of February 7 to continue interim committee meetings.  We’ll be back with another Frontline Report to keep you informed of the ever changing legislative news.

Questions?  Call FEA Public Policy Advocacy at 850.224.2078

Thanks to Kevin Watson, Pat Dix and Joe Minor for their contributions to this report!